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/7199552.stm

The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
US economy fears hit Asian shares Shares slump on worries over US
(about 1 hour later)
European stock markets have suffered sharp losses amid growing fears of a recession in the US.European stock markets have suffered sharp losses amid growing fears of a recession in the US.
By 0845 GMT, London's FTSE-100 index was down more than 2%, in Paris the Cac-40 fell more than 2.5% and in Frankfurt the Dax was down almost 3%. By 1010 GMT, London's FTSE-100 index was down 1.6%, in Paris the Cac-40 fell more than 3% and in Frankfurt the Dax was down almost 3%.
It was a gloomy Monday in Tokyo too, as the Nikkei fell by 3.9% to its lowest close since October 2005.It was a gloomy Monday in Tokyo too, as the Nikkei fell by 3.9% to its lowest close since October 2005.
The markets have taken little comfort from measures to boost the US economy proposed by President Bush on Friday.The markets have taken little comfort from measures to boost the US economy proposed by President Bush on Friday.
The state of the US economy is very important to Asia's biggest companies because American consumers are some of their top customers.The state of the US economy is very important to Asia's biggest companies because American consumers are some of their top customers.
In Mumbai stocks were also hit, the Sensex index fell 987 points or 5.2%, adding to an 8% fall last week. In Mumbai stocks were also hit, the Sensex index fell 1,408 points or 7.4%, adding to an 8% fall last week.
The Hang Seng slumped 1,383.0 points, or 5.5%, to close at 23,818.9,The Hang Seng slumped 1,383.0 points, or 5.5%, to close at 23,818.9,
Australia's benchmark ASX 200 index closed down 2.9% or 166.9 points at 5,580.4, which is its lowest level for a year.Australia's benchmark ASX 200 index closed down 2.9% or 166.9 points at 5,580.4, which is its lowest level for a year.
It was also the 11th consecutive negative day for the index, which has not happened for more than 25 years.It was also the 11th consecutive negative day for the index, which has not happened for more than 25 years.
Markets in China, India, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and the Philippines also fell.Markets in China, India, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and the Philippines also fell.