LONDON - Britain's top share index closed 1.65 percent lower on worries over British banks' exposure to Dubai debt and concerns ahead of today's UK pre-budget report that Royal Bank of Scotland's board might resign in a row over bonus payments. The FTSE 100 index ended down 87.53 points at 5,223.13, hitting a one-week low.
EUROPE - European shares closed lower, with some banks down on worries over their exposure to Dubai World and Greek banks hit by a Fitch Ratings downgrade on Greece's credit rating. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top shares closed down 1.6 percent at 1,004.41 points and hit a one-week low of 999.71.
FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended 5,688.58 points, down 96.17 or 1.66 percent.
PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,785.3 points, down 54.75 or 1.43 percent.
ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,399.74 points, down 70.87 or 1.1 percent.
MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 22,832.61 points, down 374.44 or 1.61 percent.
TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei average slipped 0.3 percent, to snap a six-day winning streak, with profit-taking and an increase in the yen against the dollar eating away at recent gains made by exporters. The Nikkei fell 27.13 points to 10,140.47, a day after hitting a six-week closing high.
HONG KONG - Shares in Hong Kong declined, with banks leading losses, on concern over more share issues and comments suggesting mainland banks may not receive government help to boost their capital. The Hang Seng Index ended down 1.18 percent or 264.44 points at 22,060.52.
MELBOURNE - Shares eased 0.1 percent, the third straight day of losses, with sentiment dampened by a reminder from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that the US economy still faced headwinds. The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 5.9 points to 4,670.6, taking losses over the past three days to 2.2 percent.
JOHANNESBURG - The rand and stocks weakened, taking their cue from battered world markets on renewed concern about exposure to Dubai debt. The All-share index closed at 26,990.92 points, down 153.57 or 0.57 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,517.06 points, down 16.56 or 0.65 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 21,200.46 points, down 24.5 or 0.12 percent.
