European stock markets fell this evening, reversing a two-day winning streak, as worries of further writedowns affected banks and figures showed a slowdown in euro zone economic growth. The ISEQ in Dublin was among the worst performers, losing more than 3.5%.
In Paris, the CAC fell 0.5% to 4,888 while in Frankfurt the Dax also lost 0.5% at 6,742. In London, the FTSE fell 25 points, or 0.4%, to 5,891, with Lloyds TSB down more than 4% at 463p, though mining and oil shares were stronger.
Dublin's ISEQ plunged 232 points to 6,321 in thin trading, with banks faring worst. Anglo Irish Bank dropped 75 cent to €8.61 and Bank of Ireland lost 64 to €9.36. Airlines were also lower, with Aer Lingus down 10 cent to €2.03 and Ryanair 14 cent lower at €2.90.
On Wall Street, markets were marginally lower ahead of closely watched employment figures due to be released on Friday. The Dow Jones was four points lower at 12,602 and the Nasdaq was down five at 2,357.
Earlier, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index closed 201 points (1.5%) to end at 13,390, despite overnight losses on US markets.
