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/7208316.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Worldwide share jitters continue Worldwide share jitters continue
(about 2 hours later)
Global stocks were down on Friday, ending two straight days of solid rises as concerns returned about the state of the worldwide financial sector. Global stocks finished down on Friday, as concerns returned about the state of the worldwide financial sector.
While the main Dow Jones index was down 154 points to 12,225 in mid afternoon trading on Wall Street, European shares had earlier finished lower. With analysts saying some investors were also profit taking after two days of solid rises, Wall Street's main Dow Jones index lost 171 points to 12,207.
London's FSTE closed down 6.8 points to 5,869, while Frankfurt's Dax lost 4.3 points and Paris' Cac fell 37 points. The Nasdaq ended 35 points lower, while London's FSTE fell 6.8 points to 5,869, and Frankfurt's Dax lost 4.3 points.
Analysts said sentiment was hit by reports a hedge fund was in trouble. Analysts said sentiment was hit by rumours of more big losses to be reported in the global banking sector.
Reports said that one of the main US hedge funds was in financial difficulty, but no names have been suggested. Dutch banks ING and Fortis were mentioned in some reports. Both said they declined to comment on market speculation.
There was also rumours that one of the main US hedge funds was in financial difficulty.
US economic planUS economic plan
Global stocks had risen earlier on Friday as investors welcomed the previous day's announcement of a US government plan to spend $150bn (£76bn) reviving the country's economy.Global stocks had risen earlier on Friday as investors welcomed the previous day's announcement of a US government plan to spend $150bn (£76bn) reviving the country's economy.
We expect sharp gains and losses in the next few days and weeks Heinz-Gerd Sonnenschein, a strategist at PostbankWe expect sharp gains and losses in the next few days and weeks Heinz-Gerd Sonnenschein, a strategist at Postbank
Strong earnings from Microsoft and building equipment firm Caterpillar had also helped to lift the mood, with Japan's main Nikkei index closing up 4%.Strong earnings from Microsoft and building equipment firm Caterpillar had also helped to lift the mood, with Japan's main Nikkei index closing up 4%.
On Monday, stock markets from Japan to the UK were heavily sold on growing fears that the US would fall into a recession and drag down other key economies too.On Monday, stock markets from Japan to the UK were heavily sold on growing fears that the US would fall into a recession and drag down other key economies too.
In many markets, the falls were the worst since the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US.In many markets, the falls were the worst since the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US.
The resulting turmoil prompted the Fed, the US central bank, to cut US rates to 3.5% from 4.25%.The resulting turmoil prompted the Fed, the US central bank, to cut US rates to 3.5% from 4.25%.
Analysts now expect more volatility in the short term.Analysts now expect more volatility in the short term.
"We expect sharp gains and losses in the next few days and weeks," said Heinz-Gerd Sonnenschein, a strategist at Postbank in Germany."We expect sharp gains and losses in the next few days and weeks," said Heinz-Gerd Sonnenschein, a strategist at Postbank in Germany.
"The US has done many things to stabilise the market, but all the bad news is not yet out there.""The US has done many things to stabilise the market, but all the bad news is not yet out there."