The panic in world financial markets has led to sharp falls in share prices and led to the contraction of credit markets. BBC News looks at how key indicators around the world have moved as recession fears grow.

Twelve months ago interest rates were 5.25%. By 30 January they had dropped to 3%. They are now 2.25%, as of 18 March.

Wall Street bank Bear Stearns collapsed when other banks lost confidence in the value of its investments in sub-prime mortgages. It was bought by JPMorgan Chase in March.

Underlying the financial market wobblies is a real decline in US house prices nationwide for the first time since the 1930s.