EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European shares fell sharply for a second day with banks sliding, miners suffering from lower metals prices and reports they face higher taxes, and after US data cast further doubt on the economic recovery. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares fell 1.6 percent to 1,036.07 points, its lowest close since December 22. The European benchmark is still up more than 60 percent from its lifetime low of March 9.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 5,746.97 points, down 104.56 or 1.79 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 3,862.16 points, down 66.79 or 1.70 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 6,578.95 points, down 7.58 or 0.12 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The FT IT All Share index closed at 23,340.36 points, down 241.99 or 1.03 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Australian stocks fell 0.8 percent, dragged down by miners like BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, after strong Chinese growth data reinforced fears that Beijing would tighten monetary policy to cool its economy. The S&P/ASX 200 index Shed 41.0 points to 4,827.2, falling for a third straight day.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: South Africa's stocks fell for a third day running, touching a 3-week low as commodity shares were hit by prospects of policy tightening in China, while the rand dipped in a volatile session. The All-share index closed at 27,489.85 points, down 411.89 or 1.48 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,332.84 points, down 4.61 or 0.20 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 21,116.37 points, down 196.58 or 0.92 percent.