Volatility for world markets continued today as the FTSE 100 Index put back a large chunk of the 2.5% rise seen in its previous session.
Oil prices steadied at 60 US dollars for a barrel of Brent crude but this was not enough to prevent another weak session in Europe as confidence was hit by the continued financial crisis in Russia.
The FTSE 100 Index stood 45 points lower at 6287.1, having rebounded by 2.5% or 149 points at the end of choppy trading yesterday.
The rouble has lost over 15% of its value this week but regained some of its recent losses today after the country’s finance ministry reportedly intervened to support the currency by selling foreign reserves.
The global uncertainty still left shares in British Airways owner International Airlines Group down by 13.2p to 449p, while British American Tobacco was off 54.75p to 3360.5p.