Around the World's Markets: London

EQUITIES HAD a dismal day, beset by worries about the Russian and Asian economies and a sharp sell-off in New York. Footsie crashed 154.8 points (after 184.3) to 5,432.8, its lowest since late January. Other indices also suffered setbacks.

Had BP not rolled out its merger with Amoco, the US group, Footsie could have been down as much as 250. BP ended 22p up at 795p after a 126p gain just after the Amoco deal was rolled out. British Airways dived 48p to 509p.

Derek Pain, page 17