Stock Markets

European stock markets remain under pressure

Frankfurt - European stock markets remained jittery on Wednesday after the US central bank's bailout of insurance giant American International Group (AIG) failed to impress investors.

After opening sharply higher in the wake of the Federal Reserve's 85-billion-dollar rescue action, French shares dipped into the red following Wall Street's weak opening.

At mid-afternoon the Paris Bourse's benchmark CAC 40 had fallen by 0.05 per cent, to 4,085.53. Insurance giant Axa still led the winners, up by 2.66 per cent to 20.29 euros, while banking shares were managing to stay in the black.

Societe Generale was up by 0.63 per cent, to 56.32 euros, and Credit Agricole, France's largest retail banking group, had gained 0.12 per cent, to 12.09 euros.

US stocks open sharply lower despite AIG rescue

New York - US stocks fell sharply on Wall Street's opening bell Wednesday after the Federal Reserve agreed to make an 85-billion- dollar emergency loan to struggling insurance giant American International Group Inc (AIG).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 200 points, some 2 per cent, within minutes of trading. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 was down as much as 25 points.

Shares in financial firms were among the worst performers to start the day.

The US central bank late Tuesday agreed to make a two-year, 85- billion-dollar bridge loan to AIG and will take a controlling stake in the company, which had been threatened with insolvency if it could not raise the needed capital.

Russian markets halt trading after dive

Moscow - Russia's two leading stock exchanges halted trading for the second day Wednesday as banks appealed to the finance ministry for emergency loans amid global market turmoil.

Russia's Micex market and RTS suspended trading indefinitely at 12:10 pm Moscow time at the request of Russia's financial watchdog, both indexes said in statements.

The ruble-denominated Micex fell 3.09 per cent before trading was halted, a spokeswoman was quoted by news agency Interfax as saying, and the dollar-denominated RTS plunged 6.39 per cent in its first two hours of trading.

The RTS index lost 57 per cent since soaring to record heights in May.

Hong Kong shares fall to new lows on global economic woes

Hong Kong shares fall to new lows on global economic woes Hong Kong - Hong Kong shares fell 3.63 per cent Wednesday as the fallout from the turmoil in the US banking sector continued to depress the market.

The Hang Seng Index, which dropped 5.4 per cent Tuesday, fell another 663.42 points to close Wednesday at 17,637.19. Turnover was 76.23 billion Hong Kong dollars 
(9.79 billion US dollars).

The index - which only 11 months ago hit a high of almost 32,000 - rose slightly in early trading as news broke of the US government bailout of the insurance giant American International Group Inc.

Taiwan cuts bank reserve ratios in wake of Lehman bankruptcy

Taiwan cuts bank reserve ratios in wake of Lehman bankruptcy Taipei - Taiwan's government and economists were in agreement Wednesday that the US financial chaos would negatively hit local financial institutions, stock and property markets but only in the short term.

The island's Central Bank decided to cut its bank reserve ratios starting Thursday to free up 200 billion Taiwan dollars (6.25 billion US dollars) in a bid to ease fund flows and boost the local markets.

Shanghai shares fall 3 per cent led by banks, real estate firms

Shanghai shares fall 3 per cent led by banks, real estate firms Beijing - China's biggest stock market followed global losses with a 3-percent plunge on Wednesday, led by falls in banking and real-estate shares.

The key Shanghai Composite Index, which tracks shares traded in local and foreign currencies, lost 2.90 per cent to end the day at a 22-month low of 1,929.05 points.

The smaller Shenzhen Composite Index fell by 1.89 per cent to close at 559.95 points.

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