Around the World's Markets: London

BLUE CHIPS, after plunging nearly 150 points, ended just 18 down at 5,118.6, with nerves soothed by early strength in New York. Supporting shares also gave ground.

Bank shares, largely responsible for driving Footsie higher earlier this year, were battered and bruised on growing worries, underlined by Schroders' Asian provision, about the extent of any international fallout from the current turmoil. Barclays slumped 57p to 1,117p. In July the shares hit a 1,949p peak.