LONDON - Britain's top share index fell to its lowest close in a month, as weak US labour and other data cast further doubt on the strength of the global recovery, and with oils down as crude prices slipped.

The FTSE 100 fell 91.58 points, or 1.7 percent, to 5,211.29 points, the lowest close since July 20.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European shares hit a one-month closing low after data showed new claims for US jobless benefits rose to a nine-month high and factory activity in the Mid-Atlantic region contracted.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares fell for a second straight session and ended down 1.4 percent at 1,036.84 points, the lowest close since July 21.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 6,075.13 points, down 111.18 or 1.8 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3572.4 points, down 75.53 or 2.07 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,281.35 points, down 81.53 or 1.28 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 20,637.06 points, down 403.74 or 1.92 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei average rose 1.3 percent, buoyed by short-covering and bargain-hunting by domestic investors after falls earlier this week, but the yen's overall strength against the dollar capped further gains.

The Nikkei gained 122.14 points to end at 9,362.68.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Hong Kong stocks finished in positive territory after a retreat by China Mobile on disappointing results threatened to wipe out gains driven by a rally in the resources sector.

The Hang Seng Index closed up 0.24 percent at 21,072.46.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Australian stocks gained yesterday after positive outlook statements from companies such as Brambles and QBE Insurance helped outweigh the drag from a second negative day for BHP Billiton.

The S&P/ASX 200 index added 4.11 points, or 0.09 percent, to close at 4,479.02.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - The South African rand steadied against the dollar late, erasing earlier gains after Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said the government was worried about the currency's strength.

The All-share index closed at 27,148.75 points, down 138.34 or 0.51 percent.

The All Gold index closed at 2483.71 points, up 26.1 or 1.06 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 22,546.24 points, down 31.83 or 0.14 percent.