European shares fell to their lowest close in nearly six weeks today over worries about the health of the global economic recovery.
London's FTSE shed 0.3% to close at 4,824 points, pulled down by weak banks and miners, while BP rose on media reports it is seeking a strategic investor. With US markets closed for the Independence Day holiday, the FTSE traded only 41.9% of its average 90-day volume.
In Paris the CAC lost 0.5% to 3,332 points while in Frankfurt the DAX fell 0.3% to 5,816 points.
Dublin's ISEQ closed 0.6% down at 2,828, with some banks bucking the European trend. AIB added 5.8% to 86 cent and Irish Life & Permanent gained 3.5% to €1.48, but Bank of Ireland lost 1.6% to close at 62 cent. Elan also lost ground, dropping 3.1% to €3.71 while Fyffes lost 2.9% to €0.34.
In Tokyo earlier, the Nikkei ended up 0.7% at 9,267. The Hang Seng finished 0.3% lower at 19,842. On Wall Street on Friday, the Dow Jones closed down 0.5% at 9,686 ahead of the holiday.
