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US stocks sink again as European markets close US stocks sink again as European markets close
(35 minutes later)
Shares are suffering a fresh bout of market jitters as the European markets close for the day.Shares are suffering a fresh bout of market jitters as the European markets close for the day.
Earlier on Thursday, US stocks had clawed back some ground, a day after suffering their worst losses in eight months. In London, the FTSE 100 share index tumbled 1.9% to end at 7,006 points. France's CAC 40 index slid 1.9% to 5,106, while Germany's DAX fell 1.48% to 11,539.
The Dow Jones index was down 338 points, or 1.32%, at 25,260 points and the S&P was down a similar amount at 5,466. The Nasdaq was 0.77% lower. In a day of wild swings, the Dow Jones index was down 100 points at 25,498 - about 0.4% - although it had been down 350 points in mid morning.
In London, the UK's FTSE 100 share index was down 1.2% at 7,063. The wider S&P 500 slid 0.65%.
Earlier, markets in Asia had plunged to a 19-month low. The Nasdaq - which took the worst of Wednesday's declines - was mostly unchanged.
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump renewed his attacks on the Federal Reserve, which has been raising interest rates. In Asian trading earlier, the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong had plunged to a 19-month low.
He told the Fox News channel the Fed's policy was "too aggressive" and that it was "making a big mistake".
On Wednesday, he said the Fed had "gone crazy", prompting a response from International Monetary Fund head Christine Lagarde, who said she "would not associate" Fed chair Jerome Powell "with craziness".
In Paris, the Cac 40 share index was down 0.8% at 5,163 points, while in Frankfurt, the Dax index fell 0.3% to 11,673.
Markets in Asia had followed US stocks, which slumped on Wednesday.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 dropped 3.9%, its steepest daily drop since March. In China, the Shanghai Composite fell 5.2% to its lowest level since 2014.Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 dropped 3.9%, its steepest daily drop since March. In China, the Shanghai Composite fell 5.2% to its lowest level since 2014.
Markets in Asia had followed US stocks, which made steep falls on Wednesday.
What's driving the declines?
US markets have performed better than expected this year, bouncing back after turmoil earlier in the year to set new records over the summer.
But the Federal Reserve is raising interest rates, with the latest hike coming last month, and more increases are likely to come.
The Fed last month abandoned its description of its policy as "accommodative", reflecting a view that the economy is strong enough not to need the kind of stimulus it received in the after-math of the financial crisis.
The prospect of dwindling US stimulus has been compounded by a trade war between the world's two largest economy - which the IMF has warned could harm growth.
AnalysisAnalysis
Kim Gittleson, New York business correspondentKim Gittleson, New York business correspondent
For traders who had got used to the seemingly inevitable march of US stock markets ever higher, Wednesday was a bit of a shock.For traders who had got used to the seemingly inevitable march of US stock markets ever higher, Wednesday was a bit of a shock.
Here's just one reason why: the S&P 500 didn't record a single move up or down of more than 1% during the third quarter of 2018. That hasn't happened since 1963, according to LPL Financial.Here's just one reason why: the S&P 500 didn't record a single move up or down of more than 1% during the third quarter of 2018. That hasn't happened since 1963, according to LPL Financial.
So what led investors to head for the exit?So what led investors to head for the exit?
As ever, it's almost impossible to pinpoint one reason for the sell-off.As ever, it's almost impossible to pinpoint one reason for the sell-off.
The consensus seems to be a combination of rising interest rates, tariffs and inflation led investors to worry that fourth-quarter earnings season, which begins on Friday, won't be as record-breaking as prior quarters.The consensus seems to be a combination of rising interest rates, tariffs and inflation led investors to worry that fourth-quarter earnings season, which begins on Friday, won't be as record-breaking as prior quarters.
But when it comes to one of those concerns - inflation - investors got to breathe a sigh of relief on Thursday.But when it comes to one of those concerns - inflation - investors got to breathe a sigh of relief on Thursday.
Just before US markets opened, the September reading of the consumer price index showed that prices rose by just 0.1% during the month, below expectations.Just before US markets opened, the September reading of the consumer price index showed that prices rose by just 0.1% during the month, below expectations.
After the release, the mood on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange was almost instantly lightened, as the lower-than-expected reading tempered concerns that the US Federal Reserve will be forced to increase interest rates at a faster pace than expected.After the release, the mood on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange was almost instantly lightened, as the lower-than-expected reading tempered concerns that the US Federal Reserve will be forced to increase interest rates at a faster pace than expected.
The question is if calm will once more prevail on Wall Street - or if Wednesday's dip was a harbinger of a turbulent earnings season to come.The question is if calm will once more prevail on Wall Street - or if Wednesday's dip was a harbinger of a turbulent earnings season to come.
Trump attacks 'crazy' FedTrump attacks 'crazy' Fed
US markets have done better than expected this year, bouncing back after turmoil early in the year to set new records over the summer. The US stock market declines have prompted US President Donald Trump to renew his attacks on the Federal Reserve for its decision to raise interest rates.
But the Federal Reserve is raising interest rates, with the latest hike coming last month, and more increases are likely to come. He said higher rates - which make borrowing more expensive - were "far too stringent".
The Fed last month abandoned its description of its policy as "accommodative", reflecting a view that the economy is strong enough not to need the kind of stimulus it received in the after-math of the financial crisis. "I think what the Fed is doing is wrong," he said.
The prospect of dwindling US stimulus has been compounded by a trade war between the world's two largest economy - which the IMF has warned could harm growth. On Wednesday, he said the Fed had "gone crazy", prompting a response from International Monetary Fund head Christine Lagarde, who said she "would not associate" Fed chair Jerome Powell "with craziness".
US President Donald Trump has been particularly critical of the Fed's rate rises, breaking with tradition in the US where presidents are expected to respect central bank independence. Interest rates in the US remain relatively low by historic standards.
"The Fed is making a mistake," he told reporters on Wednesday. "I think the Fed has gone crazy." Analyst Michael Hewson of CMC Markets said it was "too simplistic to blame the Federal Reserve" for market turmoil.
Correction 'well-overdue' "There are a number of factors," he told the BBC. "Obviously, concerns about slowing growth - the IMF downgraded its global growth forecast for the global economy, citing emerging market concerns."
However, analyst Michael Hewson of CMC Markets said it was "too simplistic just to blame the Federal Reserve" for market turmoil.
"There are a number of factors," he told the BBC. "Obviously, concerns about slowing growth - the IMF downgraded its global growth forecast for the global economy, citing emerging market concerns," he said.
David Madden, market analyst at CMC Markets UK. said there were lots of reasons worrying the market: "Traders are nervous about the relatively high bond yields in the US, the potential fiscal fight between Brussels and Rome, and poor global trading relations.
"Some economists have been warning about a possible economic slowdown, and the lowering of the global growth forecast by the IMF has got dealers worried."