A global energy crunch has continued to put pressure on gas prices after China ordered its state-owned companies to do whatever it takes to secure supplies for this winter.
The latest unsettling developments have added to the inflationary fears of European markets, with Lloyds Banking Group down 3% and the FTSE 100 index set to finish a challenging week more than 1% lower.
Online electricals retailer AO World highlighted the tough environment today when it said UK growth had been impacted by the shortage of delivery drivers and disruption in the global supply chain. Its shares skidded 15% in the FTSE 250 index.
