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/7694427.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Asian stock markets lose ground Asian stock markets lose ground
(20 minutes later)
Share prices in Asia have lost ground against as markets opened, following a session of volatile trading throughout the world. Share prices in Asia have lost ground against as markets opened, following volatile trading throughout the world.
Japan's Nikkei index opened down 2%, and fell below the 7,000 mark for the first time in 26 years. Japan's Nikkei index opened down 2%, falling below the 7,000 mark for the first time in 26 years, but recovered by lunchtime, down 0.95%.
Meanwhile in Australia, shares were down less than 1%. In Australia, shares fell 1.7% in morning trade, while South Korea's Kospi dropped 2.6%.
Prices in the US and Europe ended lower on Monday amid a growing belief that the main developed countries are heading into recession. The US and Europe ended lower on Monday amid a growing belief that key economies are heading into recession.
The FTSE in London and Cac in Paris closed behind, with European indexes touching five year lows during the day. The FTSE in London and Cac in Paris closed behind, with European indexes touching five-year lows during the day.
On Wall Street, the main Dow Jones index fell 2.42%, despite being boosted earlier in the day by a surprise rise in new home sales in September.On Wall Street, the main Dow Jones index fell 2.42%, despite being boosted earlier in the day by a surprise rise in new home sales in September.
At close the FTSE in London closed down 0.79%, the Cac in Paris was down 3.96% but the Dax in Frankfurt was up 0.91%.At close the FTSE in London closed down 0.79%, the Cac in Paris was down 3.96% but the Dax in Frankfurt was up 0.91%.
Earlier the FTSE had fallen 5.6% to 3,665 points - its lowest level since April 2003.Earlier the FTSE had fallen 5.6% to 3,665 points - its lowest level since April 2003.
On the currency markets, Japan's yen reached a 13-year high against the US dollar on Monday, despite warnings from the Group of Seven (G7) industrialised nations that the currency's strength was a threat to economic stability.On the currency markets, Japan's yen reached a 13-year high against the US dollar on Monday, despite warnings from the Group of Seven (G7) industrialised nations that the currency's strength was a threat to economic stability.
Meanwhile Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso has said he will delay calling a general election in order to handle the economic crisis, reports Kyodo news agency.Meanwhile Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso has said he will delay calling a general election in order to handle the economic crisis, reports Kyodo news agency.
Mr Aso, who took office a month ago, had been widely expected to call an early election to address the deep divisions in the Japanese parliament.Mr Aso, who took office a month ago, had been widely expected to call an early election to address the deep divisions in the Japanese parliament.