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FTSE 100 and European markets rattled by losses in China Global shares nosedive on China economic woes
(35 minutes later)
Stock markets in London, Paris and Frankfurt have fallen sharply as fears of a Chinese economic slowdown continue to haunt investors. Stock markets in New York, London, Paris and Frankfurt have fallen sharply as fears of a Chinese economic slowdown continue to haunt investors.
London's FTSE 100 index was down by more than 5% in afternoon trade, with major markets in France and Germany down by 4.6% and 5.5% respectively. Wall Street's Dow Jones was nearly 6% lower in early trading after plunges across Europe.
London's FTSE 100 index was down by more than 6% in afternoon trade, with major markets in France and Germany down by 7% and 6% respectively.
The sell-off hit stocks across almost every sector in New York.
The Dow Jones fell below 16,000 for the first time since February 2014, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq index was trading more than 8% lower in the opening minutes.
Shares in Asia were hit overnight, with the Shanghai Composite in China closing down 8.5%, its worst close since 2007.Shares in Asia were hit overnight, with the Shanghai Composite in China closing down 8.5%, its worst close since 2007.
Global investors worry about growth in the world's second largest economy.Global investors worry about growth in the world's second largest economy.
Read the latest updates on our live page here.Read the latest updates on our live page here.
China's central bank devalued the country's currency, the yuan, two weeks ago, raising fresh concerns that a slowdown in the country's economy was worse than originally feared.China's central bank devalued the country's currency, the yuan, two weeks ago, raising fresh concerns that a slowdown in the country's economy was worse than originally feared.
Currencies and commodities are also falling sharply, because those markets rely heavily on strong demand from China.Currencies and commodities are also falling sharply, because those markets rely heavily on strong demand from China.
Analysis: Karishma Vaswani, Asia business correspondentAnalysis: Karishma Vaswani, Asia business correspondent
Beijing's official mouthpiece has called it China's "Black Monday".Beijing's official mouthpiece has called it China's "Black Monday".
The Shanghai Composite tumbled by 8.5%, its biggest fall since 2007. That plunge wiped out this year's gains as investors refused to buy into the Chinese government's repeated attempts to shore up confidence.The Shanghai Composite tumbled by 8.5%, its biggest fall since 2007. That plunge wiped out this year's gains as investors refused to buy into the Chinese government's repeated attempts to shore up confidence.
Everyone wants to know what the Chinese government is going to do next to shore up shares and confidence in the economy.Everyone wants to know what the Chinese government is going to do next to shore up shares and confidence in the economy.
The smart money is on the central bank reducing interest rates and injecting a semblance of consumer confidence into the markets.The smart money is on the central bank reducing interest rates and injecting a semblance of consumer confidence into the markets.
That is what many had hoped would happen over the weekend.That is what many had hoped would happen over the weekend.
But at each point in what appears to be an ever-deepening Chinese slowdown, the government has seemed slow to react.But at each point in what appears to be an ever-deepening Chinese slowdown, the government has seemed slow to react.
Read Karishma's blog in fullRead Karishma's blog in full
The falling FTSE: Should we worry?The falling FTSE: Should we worry?
Duncan Weldon: China share falls - why it's not 2008Duncan Weldon: China share falls - why it's not 2008
Without strong reassurances from officials in China, investors have not had much reason to buy.Without strong reassurances from officials in China, investors have not had much reason to buy.
Selling that started earlier this summer has gained momentum, experts say.Selling that started earlier this summer has gained momentum, experts say.
"It does appear that we're moving very quickly to the downside," said David Madden, market analyst at IG."It does appear that we're moving very quickly to the downside," said David Madden, market analyst at IG.
Widespread investor fears about the sharp drops in Asia were exacerbated by thin trading volumes in Europe, with many investors away on holiday.Widespread investor fears about the sharp drops in Asia were exacerbated by thin trading volumes in Europe, with many investors away on holiday.
"I think more uncertainty lies ahead," Mr Madden said."I think more uncertainty lies ahead," Mr Madden said.
Investors might have to wait for several weeks for bargain hunters to come into the market to lift stocks.Investors might have to wait for several weeks for bargain hunters to come into the market to lift stocks.
Beijing's latest intervention, to allow its main state pension fund to invest in the stock market, failed to calm traders' fears, both in China and abroad.Beijing's latest intervention, to allow its main state pension fund to invest in the stock market, failed to calm traders' fears, both in China and abroad.
Over the past week, the Shanghai index fell 12%, adding up to a 30% drop since the middle of June.Over the past week, the Shanghai index fell 12%, adding up to a 30% drop since the middle of June.
The sharp fall sparked a global sell-off, with the Dow Jones in the US losing 6%, while the FTSE 100 posted its biggest weekly loss this year, of 5%.The sharp fall sparked a global sell-off, with the Dow Jones in the US losing 6%, while the FTSE 100 posted its biggest weekly loss this year, of 5%.
Earlier this month, the Chinese central bank devalued the yuan in an attempt to boost exports.Earlier this month, the Chinese central bank devalued the yuan in an attempt to boost exports.
European investors worry that a cheaper Chinese currency will make European exports less competitive.European investors worry that a cheaper Chinese currency will make European exports less competitive.
In other developments:In other developments: