Billions of pounds were wiped off the value of the Britain's leading companies after the FTSE 100 Index dived again today.
Investors worried about inflation continued selling stocks, causing the index to fall to its lowest level since February.
It followed last Friday's nosedive, which saw it end that day's trading session 129.9 points, or 2 per cent, lower. That lowered the value of the top 100 blue-chip firms by around £30 billion.
Within an hour of the start of trading today the index was down another 2 per cent - taking more than £20 billion from the value of companies - although it later recovered some ground.
Dealers and their clients are also worried about the weak US dollar, which makes exports to the world's biggest consumer market much less competitive on price.
Analysts say the signs are that the "bull market", which has seen shares rise in value by a third over the past two years, has now run out of steam.
The FTSE 100 hit a five-year high last month - but analysts say that revival could now be short-lived.
PA