LONDON - Britain's top share index closed lower for a fourth straight session, dragged down by miners and energy stocks on continued market unease over the uncertain demand outlook. The FTSE 100 closed at 5,260.31 points, down 42.68 or 0.8 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European shares extended their losses to a fourth day, with drugmakers falling, and US home sales data casting doubt on the economic recovery.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top shares fell 0.6 percent to 1,018.65 points, its lowest close since December 18.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 5,631.37 points, down 63.95 or 1.12 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,781.85 points, down 38.93 or 1.02 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,451.3 points, down 42.66 or 0.66 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 22,867.03 points, down 171.28 or 0.74 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - The Nikkei average hit a four-week closing low as exporters such as Toyota Motor Corp. slid on a stronger yen, and after Google's revenue figures failed to live up to bullish expectations. The benchmark Nikkei slipped 0.74 percent or 77.86 points to 10,512.69, its lowest finish since December 25 and below its 25-day moving average around 10,600.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's key stock index slid 0.62 percent to a three-month closing low as investors sold bank and property stocks, rattled by news about Bank of China's fundraising plans and higher mortgage rates on the mainland. The Hang Seng Index ended down 127.63 points at 20,598.55, its lowest close since October 5 and a fourth consecutive declining session.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Shares fell 0.69 percent to a one-month closing low, as banks fell after a White House plan to curb bank risk-taking in the US weighed down on Wall Street financial firms. The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 32.7 points to 4,717.9, its lowest close since December 22. The market will be closed for a holiday today and regular trading will resume tomorrow.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's rand regained its footing against the dollar after last Friday's sell-off, although it gave up some of its morning gains as gold came off earlier highs. The All-share index closed at 27,080.04 points, up 16.8 or 0.06 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,339.85 points, up 40.58 or 1.76 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 20,845.81 points, up 61.12 or 0.29 percent.