All but two of Recruiter's monitored shares fell in the recent turbulence on the stock exchange, which saw around £60bn wiped off the value of leading firms last week.

Among the recruitment agencies worst hit were Empresaria (down 28.25p), Hat Pin (down 41.5p), Michael Page (down 17.25p), Robert Walters (down 15.75p) and Matchtech (down 13.59p).

Only Carlisle Group and Network Group managed to escape a fall in their share prices.

As Recruiter went to press Pinnacle Staffing's share price remained static at 2.88p despite revealing challenging trading conditions. It said its performance for the 2007 financial year, before restructuring costs, has been in line with the Board's expectations. It also revealed that Jacqueline Anne Skinner has become chief executive, following the decision by Julie Greenwood to step down from the board for personal reasons.

OPD Group's share price rose 4p to 184p, as it revealed that it had received valid acceptances for 8,791,539 (23%) of Imprint shares and was extending its offer for the company until 31 January.

Meanwhile, Hydrogen shares remained static at 224p after it declared that it remains firmly committed to acquiring Imprint, and requested the Imprint Board to adjourn so it can hold further discussions with Imprint shareholders.

Imprint's shares remained unchanged at 84p after agreeing to Hydrogen's request.

Spring Group saw its share price increase by 1.25p to 44.25p as it revealed that its pre-tax profit will be ahead of analysts' expectations, having increased by approximately 30% to around £7m. It said that 2007 saw the continued implementation of its strategy to return the Group to sustainable growth and profitability.