Recovery Fears Hit World Stock Markets

Stock markets are taking a pounding as fears grow over world economic recovery and for the health of Portugal's largest bank.

Weak economic data from Italy and mounting concern about the future of Banco Espirito Santo drove the sell-off, spreading from southern euro nations across Europe.

Portugal's PSI was almost 4.5% down by 12:30 BST - with banking stocks worst affected.

The Italian MIB and IBEX in Spain had both lost more than 2% - with the DAX in Germany and French CAC shedding 1.5%.

The rush for safe havens, and gold in particular, was also seen in London - the FTSE 100 losing just shy of 1% after bleeding value each day over the course of the week amid fears of a looming correction.

The problems in Portugal were blamed on shares and bonds of Espirito Santo Financial Group, the chief shareholder in Banco Espirito Santo, being suspended over "material difficulties" at the parent firm.

It was reported earlier by the Portuguese newspaper Diaro Economico that Espirito Santo FG was considering filing for controlled insolvency if debt re-negotiations with clients failed.

Banco Espirito Santo shares dived 15.8% alone at one stage despite government assurances the bank was solid.

Italy's contribution to the sell-off was economic data which showed Italian industrial output posting its steepest monthly fall since
November 2012 in May, casting doubts over the country's economic recovery.

Nerves were already frayed after confirmation the previous evening that the US Federal Reserve would end its quantitative easing programme in October - effectively cutting off the supply of cheap credit the financial markets had grown used to since the financial crisis.

The stimulus has been cited as artificially lifting some world stock market values to record highs in recent months.

Dow Jones futures showed a 1% tumble was expected, 90 minutes ahead of opening on Wall Street.

Alistair McCaig, market analyst at IG, said of activity on the FTSE 100: "That 6,700 from a psychological point of view was giving it a bit of confidence, and with with the 200 day moving average around there as well, we were looking for some support.

"When that didn't transpire and we have broad weakness across Europe, it's a risk off day on the FTSE 100."

More follows...

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Recovery Fears Hit World Stock Markets

Dengan url

http://temannyakawanya.blogspot.com/2014/07/recovery-fears-hit-world-stock-markets.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Recovery Fears Hit World Stock Markets

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Recovery Fears Hit World Stock Markets

sebagai sumbernya