LONDON - Britain's top share index fell 1.4 percent as sagging commodity prices dented miners and energy stocks, while reduced risk appetite hurt banks. The FTSE 100 closed at 5,267.7 points, down 74.43 or 1.39 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European shares ended at a one-week closing as bearish analyst comment on semi-conductor stocks hurt technology shares and falling commodity prices pressured oils and miners.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares ended down 1.6 percent at 1,011.71 points, the lowest close since November 10 and its third daily loss in a row as it registered its biggest one-day percentage fall in three weeks.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 5,702.18 points, down 85.43 or 1.48 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,760.22 points, down 67.94 or 1.77 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,286.81 points, down 82.16 or 1.29 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 23,259.19 points, down 495.19 or 2.08 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's benchmark Nikkei share average fell 1.3 percent to a four-month closing low, with the nation's biggest bank Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group sliding after announcing a massive fundraising. The Nikkei fell 127.33 points to 9,549.47, its lowest close in four months.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Hong Kong shares ended down for a third day on profit taking, but China Mobile outperformed after it said its business had rebounded to pre-crisis levels. The Hang Seng Index closed down 0.86 percent, or 197.17 points, at 22,643.16.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Australian shares edged up 0.2 percent in thin trade, underpinned by banks and property stocks after the top miners gave up early gains, while Insurance Australia Group climbed on bid hopes. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 10.2 points to 4,749.2.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - South African stocks followed global markets down, led by miners on faltering commodity prices, but brewer SABMiller surged higher after posting above-forecast results. The All-share index closed at 27,059.21 points, down 151.43 or 0.56 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,555.66 points, down 65.52 or 2.5 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 21,159.42 points, up 70.86 or 0.34 percent.