The London market clawed back some of yesterday's losses today to come back within sight of the 6,400 mark as a mix of strong corporate results, and higher precious metal prices led a modest recovery.

SHARES of the Nasdaq Stock Market plunged to their lowest levels in over a month after the London Stock Exchange LSE.L urged shareholders to reject a £2.7 billion (€4.02bn) hostile bid from the largest US electronic stock market.

Shares in the London Stock Exchange fell 8% today after Deutsche Boerse scrapped its £1.35bn (€1.95bn) takeover proposal and fears grew that a rival suitor may also walk away.