Commodities indices fell sharply in October on the back of concerns about a global economic slowdown that led to a 37% slump in the nickel index, which has taken its toll on Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, who is set to receive a $4.5bn (€3.4bn) lifeline from the state today.

The Dow Jones-AIG Commodity Index fell by 24.8% in October, led by a slump in energy and metals prices, and by 31.8% for the year-to-date. The biggest decline was the 41% slump in the copper index, followed by a 37% fall in unleaded gas and 37% for nickel.