Fourth day of losses for FTSE

London’s blue-chip companies endured a fourth consecutive session of losses today after another turbulent day for markets.

The FTSE 100 Index see-sawed between negative and positive territory after recording its biggest percentage fall in four years yesterday – wiping more than £48 billion from London’s leading companies.

Stock markets around the globe have been shaken by fears over the weak US economy and the impact of tightening credit markets on takeover activity.

The index closed down 36 points at 6215.2 – although the losses were far lighter than the fall of more than 200 points seen in the previous session.

CMC trader Jimmy Yates said: “After yesterday’s heavy run of selling there has been something of a pause today, but what upward momentum we have seen has been difficult to sustain and somewhat less than convincing.”