End-of-US-recession boost short-lived

Persistent fears over the US economy sparked a sell-off on world stock markets today as yesterday’s cheer over the end of America’s recession proved short-lived.

London’s FTSE 100 Index plunged 93.2 points to 5044.6 – its lowest close for a month – while the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Wall Street fell more than 220 points in early trade.