World stocks markets fell sharply this evening as oil prices surged towards record levels again and the US unemployment rate reached its highest level for almost four years.
In Dublin, the ISEQ closed down 192 points (3.2%) at 5,807. Aer Lingus dropped seven cent to €1.56 in late trading after announcing plans to scale back its US plans in the face of surging fuel costs, while Ryanair fell 21 to €3.02. Bank shares were hit by a negative report from Citigroup, which cut ratings for Anglo Irish and Bank of Ireland. Anglo closed down 36 cent at €7.50, while Bank of Ireland lost 50 cent to €7.
In London, the FTSE closed down 89 points (1.5%) at 5,907, with British Airways sliding more than 8% to 238p and HBOS down 7.6%% to 343p. In Paris the CAC fell 2.3% to 4,796 while the Frankfurt Dax lost 2% to end at 6,804.
On Wall Street, the US jobs figures dashed hopes of a quick recovery for the economy, while higher oil prices hit airline shares. The Dow Jones was down 260 points at 12,344, while the Nasdaq fell 42 to 2,508.
Earlier, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index closed 148 points higher at 14,489 (1.3%) on the back of stronger energy firms and trading houses.
