Slow recovery for FTSE

The FTSE 100 Index fought back from lows below the 4000 barrier today in the wake of figures confirming the official start of the UK recession.

The Footsie recovered from a fall of nearly 100 points – to close down almost flat, off 0.2 points at 4052.5 – despite figures revealing the UK economy contracted by 1.5% in the fourth quarter of 2008 in the worst performance since 1980.