European stock markets closed sharply lower this evening, hit by concerns over Europe after Germany introduced surprise curbs on speculative trading in a failed attempt to calm sentiment.
London's FTSE lost 149 points (2.8%) to end at 5,158, while the Paris CAC slumped 106 points (2.9%) to close at 3,512 and the Frankfurt DAX shed 167 points (2.7%) to finish at 5,989.
Dublin's ISEQ index slumped 130 points (4.17%) to end at 2,979 this evening. The financial shares were lower with AIB down 6.5% to €1.14, while Irish Life and Permanent lost 5% to close at €2.27. Shares in Bank of Ireland ended 5% lower at €1.35 after shareholders at its EGM today approved plans for a major fund raising exercise. The index heavyweights also saw big losses with CRH down 4.7% to €18.18, while DCC lost 3% to close at €17.74.
US stocks followed other global indices lower this evening as investors panicked at new German rules to curb market speculation. The Dow Jones was down 101 points (0.9%) to stand at 10,409 while the Nasdaq fell 27 points (1.2%) to 2,290.
Earlier in Asia, Tokyo's Nikkei finished 0.5% lower at 10,187 as another dip in the euro weighed on Japanese exporters. The Hang Seng dropped 1.8% to 19,579 in Hong Kong.
