As PrintWeek went to press the price of stock in St Ives was at 316.5p after rallying slightly from a 10% decline on 23 July compared to its high of 464p in April.

De La Rues shares had recovered slightly from a 5.74% decline to 278p on 17 July following last weeks profits warning, compared to its high of 566p last October.

Shares in Thomas Potts fell to a 52-week low of 3p on 23 July but then rose to 3.5p. Fulmar was at 72.5p, compared to its 52-week high of 80p, while Cradley was at 8.5p, compared to a high of 15p last July.

Communisis share price had dipped to 140p, 51.5p below Mays high.

BPIF finance director Mark Cooke said stock market fluctuations would have little effect on companies ability to pay final-salary pension schemes: "The cost is much more likely to be affected by long-term trends such as increasing life expectancy."

Story by John Davies