LONDON - Britain's top share index closed 0.7 percent lower as commodities and banks led the retreat over concerns that China's move to tighten banks' reserve requirements may slow global economic recovery. The FTSE 100 closed at 5,498.71 points, down 39.36 or 0.71 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European equities retreated from a 15-month high to finish lower as a disappointing start of the earnings season in the US and China's surprise move to raise bank reserve requirements hurt sentiment.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed 0.9 percent lower at 1,053.93 points after rising to its highest in more than 15 months in the previous session. The index rose 26 percent in 2009 and has surged 63 percent since hitting a record low in March last year.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 5,943 points, down 97.5 or 1.61 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 4,000.05 points, down 43.04 or 1.06 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,541.9 points, down 50.36 or 0.76 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 23,993.27 points, down 199.22 or 0.82 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei stock average climbed to a 15-month closing high as resource and machinery shares gained after China reported record imports of some commodities and stronger-than-expected exports. The benchmark Nikkei rose 0.75 percent or 80.82 points to close at 10,879.14, its highest since October 2008.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Shares slipped 0.38 percent in choppy trade, as Chalco fell on weak results from global peer Alcoa, while persistent worries about Chinese curbs on bank lending put pressure on lenders. The Hang Seng Index ended down 84.88 points at 22,326.64.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Stocks declined 1.03 percent as profit-taking hit resource firms, with shares in Alumina Ltd. falling sharply after partner Alcoa reported results that missed market expectations. The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 51.2 points to 4,899.5, after closing at a 15-month high on Monday.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's rand weakened by as much as 1.9 percent against the dollar, despite data showing a slower contraction in manufacturing which backed the view rates will stay on hold. The All-share index closed at 28,057.68 points, down 289.1 or 1.02 percent.