Investors dived for cover today after bleak jobs data in the United States deepened recession fears in the world’s biggest economy.

The London market held firm today as investor confidence rebounded following Friday’s heavy losses.

The FTSE 100 Index fell by 2.5% today as fears over the crunch in credit markets continued to hound investors worldwide.

Share prices in London reacted to the expected onset of hostilities in the Gulf by posting a fifth successive session of gains today.