This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7658174.stm
The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 21 | Version 22 |
---|---|
Rate cuts fail to cheer markets | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Stocks have fallen sharply after co-ordinated interest rate cuts by major central banks failed to dispel the gloom engulfing world markets. | |
On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was down 1.5% at 9,303.1 points despite having risen in earlier trade. | |
European stock markets remained in negative territory, with London's FTSE 100 down 5.2%, France's Cac 40 5.7% lower and Germany's Dax down 5%. | |
Investors were unconvinced that the move would prevent a recession. | |
The Bank of England, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the US Federal Reserve have all reduced their key rates by half a percentage point. | The Bank of England, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the US Federal Reserve have all reduced their key rates by half a percentage point. |
DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE: 8 October 2008*All Times GMT | DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE: 8 October 2008*All Times GMT |
The Bank of England cut UK rates from 5% to 4.5%, the Federal Reserve reduced US rates from 2% to 1.5%, and the ECB cut eurozone rates from 4.25% to 3.75%. | |
"We are not out of the woods yet," said Joshua Raymond, market strategist City Index . | |
"We will have to see whether this has any long lasting effect on confidence." | |
The key now is for the markets to respond to this intervention with reason and a measure of realistic Stephen Gifford, Grant Thornton Financial crisis at-a-glance: 8 OctSouth Asian shares fallHuge sell-off on Arab exchanges | The key now is for the markets to respond to this intervention with reason and a measure of realistic Stephen Gifford, Grant Thornton Financial crisis at-a-glance: 8 OctSouth Asian shares fallHuge sell-off on Arab exchanges |
The falls on European and Asian stock markets had followed a huge sell-off on Wall Street on Tuesday, which saw the Dow Jones index close down more than 500 points. | The falls on European and Asian stock markets had followed a huge sell-off on Wall Street on Tuesday, which saw the Dow Jones index close down more than 500 points. |
Other key developments on another day of market turbulence have included:
| Other key developments on another day of market turbulence have included:
|
'Realistic optimism' | 'Realistic optimism' |
The other central banks that took part in the co-ordinated rate cut were those in Canada, Sweden, and Switzerland. China also cut its interest rates, the second time it has cut its key rate in less than a month. | The other central banks that took part in the co-ordinated rate cut were those in Canada, Sweden, and Switzerland. China also cut its interest rates, the second time it has cut its key rate in less than a month. |
FTSE 100 INDEX: 8 October 2008 | FTSE 100 INDEX: 8 October 2008 |
"The key now is for the markets to respond to this intervention with reason and a measure of realistic optimism," said Stephen Gifford, chief economist at Grant Thornton. | "The key now is for the markets to respond to this intervention with reason and a measure of realistic optimism," said Stephen Gifford, chief economist at Grant Thornton. |
Earlier in Asia, Japan's Nikkei had closed down 9.4% at 9,203, its lowest finish since June 2003. | Earlier in Asia, Japan's Nikkei had closed down 9.4% at 9,203, its lowest finish since June 2003. |
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index closed 6.2% lower. India's main index fell 8% at one point but eventually closed down 4.3%. | Hong Kong's Hang Seng index closed 6.2% lower. India's main index fell 8% at one point but eventually closed down 4.3%. |
Markets in Australia, China and Taiwan were among other fallers. | Markets in Australia, China and Taiwan were among other fallers. |
Russia's Micex exchange has suspended trading until Friday, after the index dropped more than 14% in the first half-hour of trading. | Russia's Micex exchange has suspended trading until Friday, after the index dropped more than 14% in the first half-hour of trading. |
Are you concerned about the global economic crisis? What questions would you like to ask the experts? Send us your questions using the form below? | Are you concerned about the global economic crisis? What questions would you like to ask the experts? Send us your questions using the form below? |
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |