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Stocks rebound from Monday fall | Stocks rebound from Monday fall |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Shares in Europe have rebounded from Monday's heavy losses, after a largely positive session for Asian stocks. | Shares in Europe have rebounded from Monday's heavy losses, after a largely positive session for Asian stocks. |
In London the FTSE 100 index was up 2%, in Frankfurt the Dax added 1.8% and in Paris the Cac 40 gained 1.9%. | In London the FTSE 100 index was up 2%, in Frankfurt the Dax added 1.8% and in Paris the Cac 40 gained 1.9%. |
Asian markets were largely higher, Tokyo's Nikkei average closed up 1.5%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 1.4% and Mumbai's Sensex was up 2.0%. | Asian markets were largely higher, Tokyo's Nikkei average closed up 1.5%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 1.4% and Mumbai's Sensex was up 2.0%. |
But Shanghai's main index fell almost 4% on worries that Beijing will make further efforts to slow the economy. | But Shanghai's main index fell almost 4% on worries that Beijing will make further efforts to slow the economy. |
The main focus for investors on Tuesday is the interest rate meeting at the US Federal Reserve. | The main focus for investors on Tuesday is the interest rate meeting at the US Federal Reserve. |
Investors are expecting the US policy makers to slash interest rates later. | Investors are expecting the US policy makers to slash interest rates later. |
Some think the benchmark Fed funds rate will be cut by one percentage point, to 2%. | Some think the benchmark Fed funds rate will be cut by one percentage point, to 2%. |
Confidence | Confidence |
The Fed is battling to restore confidence in the US banking sector, as well as boosting the economy. | The Fed is battling to restore confidence in the US banking sector, as well as boosting the economy. |
The emergency sale of Bear Stearns over the weekend rocked the markets. | The emergency sale of Bear Stearns over the weekend rocked the markets. |
HAVE YOUR SAYCredit is rammed down everyone's throat... Well now it looks as if pay back time is loomingRob, Newcastle upon Tyne, UKSend us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYCredit is rammed down everyone's throat... Well now it looks as if pay back time is loomingRob, Newcastle upon Tyne, UKSend us your comments |
Investors fear the credit crunch is escalating, which will make banks less willing to lend money and hit consumer spending. | Investors fear the credit crunch is escalating, which will make banks less willing to lend money and hit consumer spending. |
They are now awaiting results from some of the other key US investment banks, with both Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers reporting their latest results on Tuesday. | They are now awaiting results from some of the other key US investment banks, with both Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers reporting their latest results on Tuesday. |
Central banks in both the UK and US have moved to ease the crisis. | Central banks in both the UK and US have moved to ease the crisis. |
The Bank of England injected £5bn to boost lending among banks, while the Fed cut its discount rate - the interest rate at which it lends to commercial banks - from 3.5% to 3.25%. | The Bank of England injected £5bn to boost lending among banks, while the Fed cut its discount rate - the interest rate at which it lends to commercial banks - from 3.5% to 3.25%. |
And US President George Bush attempted to reassure investors, accepting that the American economy faced "challenging times" but insisting that the Fed was "on top of the situation". | And US President George Bush attempted to reassure investors, accepting that the American economy faced "challenging times" but insisting that the Fed was "on top of the situation". |
"When need be, we will act decisively, in a way that continues to bring order to the financial markets," he said. "In the long run, our economy is going to be fine." | "When need be, we will act decisively, in a way that continues to bring order to the financial markets," he said. "In the long run, our economy is going to be fine." |
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