LONDON - Britain's leading share index ended 0.6 percent lower, with sentiment dampened by data showing the US economy grew at a slower pace than previously thought, pressuring banks and commodity stocks. The FTSE 100 closed at 5,323.96 points, down 31.54 or 0.59 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European shares closed lower after data showed the US economy grew at a slower rate than forecast in the third quarter and home prices in the US rose less than expected in September.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top shares closed 0.7 percent lower at 1,016.66 points after rising to a high of 1,025.17 earlier in the session.

The index has gained 57 percent since falling to a record low in early March and is up 22 percent for the year.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 5,769.31 points, down 32.17 or 0.55 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,784.62 points, down 28.55 or 0.75 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,405.14 points, down 5.1 or 0.08 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 23,145.84 points, down 248.1 or 1.06 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei average hit its lowest close in four months as banking shares were sold on persistent worries that more financial firms would tap the market for equity financing and as a stronger yen hurt shares of exporters. The benchmark Nikkei fell 1.01 percent or 96.1 points to 9,401.58, its lowest finish since July 17.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Stocks fell, dragged down by banks as investors took profit after a recent rally, while concerns about capital-raising plans by lenders sparked fears of shareholder dilution. The Hang Seng Index closed down 1.53 percent, or 348.25 points at 22,423.14 - its biggest one-day drop in three weeks.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Stocks reversed early gains to finish down 0.68 percent in light volumes, as investors took profits in banks, retailers and resource stocks after recent rallies. The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 32 points to 4,685, after rising to as high as 4,763.9.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's rand was slightly firmer on the dollar, largely unmoved by data showing the country has come out of recession, while a fall in gold shares and weaker global equities dragged South African stocks lower. The All-share index closed at 27,347.8 points, down 75.67 or 0.28 percent.