Tokyo - Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average extended losses in early trading Friday on prolonged economic concerns and the yen's strength against other currencies, with the benchmark index down 423.18 points, or 4.76 per cent, to 8,475.96.
The Nikkei lost more than 6 per cent in Thursday trading.
On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar traded at 97.27-32 yen, down from Thursday's 5 pm quote of 97.90-93 yen.
Paris - French shares shrugged off a substantial interest rate cut by the European Central Bank and ended Thursday's session with a big loss.
The Paris Bourse's CAC 40 index closed off by 6.38 per cent, at 3,387.25, as all 40 listed stocks lost ground.
The sell-off was led by steel giant ArcelorMittal, which lost nearly 20 per cent, to 16.75 euros, on fears that the recession will be deeper and more stubborn than expected.
Frankfurt - Stocks plunged in Germany on Thursday amid tumbling factory orders and profit-taking following a cut in interest rates by the European Central Bank (ECB).
The blue chip DAX index slumped to 4,813 at the close, a drop of 6.8 per cent from the previous day.
All but one of the 30 companies listed on the index posted losses. Among the biggest losers were Deutsche Bank, down 12.8 per cent to 30.16 euros and Siemens, down 10 per cent to 40 euros.
Sporting goods manufacturer Adidas was off 9.6 per cent at 26.64 after withdrawing its forecast for 2009 because of the uncertain economic outlook.
New Delhi - Indian share prices dipped by more than 3 per cent Thursday on heavy selling by foreign funds and retail investors tracking an overnight slide in United States markets.
An unexpected rise in inflation figures also pushed down shares. Metal and blue-chip stocks were among the big losers.
The benchmark 30-share Sensex of the Bombay Stock Exchange ended with a loss of 385.79 points, or 3.81 per cent, closing at 9,734.22. The Sensex opened weak at
9,755.03 and hit an intra-day low of 9,635.22.
Tokyo - Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average extended losses in early trading Friday on prolonged economic concerns and the yen's strength against other currencies, with the benchmark index down 423.18 points, or 4.76 per cent, to 8,475.96.
Paris - French shares shrugged off a substantial interest rate cut by the European Central Bank and ended Thursday's session with a big loss.
Frankfurt - Stocks plunged in Germany on Thursday amid tumbling factory orders and profit-taking following a cut in interest rates by the European Central Bank (ECB).
New Delhi - Indian share prices dipped by more than 3 per cent Thursday on heavy selling by foreign funds and retail investors tracking an overnight slide in United States markets.
Beijing - Shares on China's main stock market fell by 2.44 per cent Thursday after an overnight plunge on Wall Street.
