LONDON - Britain's FTSE 100 share index ended 2.57 percent lower, as falling commodity prices pressured miners and oil majors, although Anglo American was boosted by news of Xstrata's proposed merger talks. The FTSE 100 closed down 111.88 points at 4,234.05, its lowest closing level since April 29.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European shares hit a five-week closing low, with weaker crude oil and metals prices pressuring commodity stocks and a World Bank report on the state of the global economy dampening market sentiment. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares ended 2.8 percent lower at 837.22 points - the lowest closing level since mid-May and the biggest one-day decline in more than two months.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 4,693.4 points, down 146.06 or 3.02 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,123.25 points, down 98.02 or 3.04 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 5,310.37 points, down 111.22 or 2.05 percent.

MILAN - The FT Italian All Share index closed at 19,251.28, down 807.52 or 4.03 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - The Nikkei average rose 0.41 percent, with brewer Sapporo Holdings and car maker Nissan Motor Co. making robust gains although caution about a correction in the overall market remained strong. The index rose 40.01 points to 9,826.27.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Financial stocks perked up in Hong Kong, lifting the broader markets, on news that new lending on the mainland picked up pace in June. The benchmark Hang Seng Index ended up 0.77 percent or 138.62 at 18,059.55, off early highs, as caution prevailed ahead of the US Federal Reserve meeting on interest rates later in the week.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Shares rose 0.48 percent, buoyed by resource stocks such as BHP Billiton Ltd. and top bank National Australia Bank after it announced an acquisition. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 18.6 points to 3,918.2, adding to a 0.2 percent gain on Friday which broke a four-session losing streak.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - Stocks slid more than two percent as weaker metal prices pummelled miners although Anglo American strode higher after rival Xstrata plc. said it was seeking merger talks. The All-share index closed at 21,941.34 points, down 453.23 or 2.02 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,363.62 points, down 135.55 or 5.42 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 17,212.26 points, down 369.06 or 2.1 percent.