Bangkok - Thai shares started strong Wednesday but ended down 3.49 per cent as investors reacted to declines on other bourses in Asia and Europe.

Frankfurt - Volkswagen AG shares dropped sharply Wednesday after the key shareholder in Europe's biggest carmaker said it was moving to try to stabilize VW's stock, which soared earlier this week.

In a statement, luxury sports carmaker Porsche AG said that, depending on the state of the market, it planned "to settle hedging transactions in the amount of up to 5 per cent of ordinary Volkswagen shares."

"This may result in an increase in the liquidity of the Volkswagen ordinary shares," Porsche said.

Hong Kong - Hong Kong stocks end another day of volatile trading just in positive ground at 0.8 per cent higher Wednesday.

The blue-chip index closed 105 points up at 12,707 on a day which saw the index rise and fall like a rollercoaster.

At one point the index reached over 13,200 only to dip down below 12,400 and then climb back up again. Turnover was 59.2 billion Hong Kong dollars (7.6 billion US dollars).

This week has seen some of the most volatile trading in the last 10 years on the Hong Kong stock market with the index losing a huge 12.7 per cent Monday only to rebound 14.35 per cent Tuesday.

Frankfurt - European stocks stormed out of the gate Wednesday after hopes of lower interest rates led to a surge in shares across Asia and on Wall Street.

Amid expectations of the US Federal Reserve delivering another hefty cut in borrowing costs Wednesday, Europe's blue-chip Stoxx 50 rose 6.5 per cent to 2,191 in early trading.

This was reflected across national bourses with shares in London gaining more than 5 per cent and Paris jumping 6.5 per cent as the morning session got under way. Stocks in Zurich were up 4.4 per cent.

In addition the European Central Bank is expected to cut the cost of money at its meeting set down for next week.

Seoul - Shares closed more than 3 per cent lower Wednesday on the Seoul stock exchange on rumors that South Korea may apply for bail-out funds by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The South Korean authorities denied the market rumors.

The benchmark Kospi index plunged 30.19 points, or 3.02 per cent, to close at 968.97, giving up earlier gains.

Declining issues outnumbered advancers 526 to 320.

The main index of the technology-heavy Kosdaq market declined 6.84 points to 265.59.

Beijing - Chinese shares dropped 2.94 per cent on Wednesday despite a massive rally on Wall Street overnight.