LONDON - Britain's top share index hit a five-week closing low, led down by energy stocks and banks ahead of the conclusion of a US Federal Reserve policy meeting.

The FTSE 100 closed down 59.38 points, or 1.1 percent, at 5,217.47 - its lowest close since December 18.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European shares fell, with banks the main drag following poor quarterly results from Spanish lender BBVA and investor concerns over Greece's fiscal problems.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European shares closed down 0.9 percent at 1,013.83 points. The index is down around three percent so far this month and is on track to post its worst monthly performance since the recovery started in March.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 5,643.2 points, down 25.73 or 0.45 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,759.8 points, down 47.24 or 1.24 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,473.03 points, down 11.2 or 0.17 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 22,516.73 points, down 380.66 or 1.66 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 0.7 percent to a five-week closing low, with Toyota Motors sliding after it suspended sales of eight cars involved in a recall, while other exporters were hurt by a stronger yen.

The Nikkei fell 73.2 points to 10,252.08, its lowest close since December 21.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Hong Kong shares ended at the lowest level in more than four months, as more signs of a government-directed clampdown on lending in China fuelled fears of a tightening monetary policy.

The Hang Seng Index ended down 0.38 percent or 76.26 points at 20,033.07, after gaining 0.54 percent by midday on a wave of short-covering.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Australian shares fell 1.5 percent to their lowest close in more than a month as miners fell on investor nervousness over China demand, and Woolworths lost after its quarterly sales were below expectations.

The S&P/ASX 200 index shed 73.3 points to 4,644.63 points to its lowest level since December 21.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's rand weakened against the dollar while bonds firmed after a lower-than-expected inflation print and stocks rose as some commodity counters recouped losses from previous sessions.

The All-share index rose 0.56 percent or 150.08 points to 26,802.13 points. The All Gold index closed at 2,272.29 points, down 12.76 or 0.56 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 20,787.3 points, down 266.86 or 1.3 percent.