Worldwide Stock Markets Close Down Again

Shares on the world stock markets traded largely down today, continuing the trend of sell-offs through the course of this week.

After moderate trading performances during the day, most exchanges have closed or are trading negatively as the closing bell approaches.

Ongoing unrest in the US sub-prime mortgage lending market, and continuing fears of a global credit crunch continue to play havoc on market confidence, and even the prospect of bargain-basement shares did nothing to regain the passion and interest of the market.

In the US, the Dow Jones leading index was down 82.91 points to 12946.0 after share sales continued to drag down the value of the index. Meanwhile, the more technology-driven Nasdaq was also down, losing 17.04 points to 2482.1.

The S&P 500 index, charting securities in 500 top companies, followed suit losing 10.01 points from its index, taking it to 1416.5.

In Europe, the French Cac Index of top 40 companies lost 35.94 points, down to 5442.7, while the Dax in Frankfurt bucked the overall trend, gaining 20.83 points on the day to close.

The FTSE 100 in London was again on the losing side, down 34.20 points on the day. The FTSE index currently stands at 6109.3.

Investors worldwide appeared to panic after announcements of emergency cash injections from the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan last week, which saw stock values plummet as the credit crunch became more of a real concern.

After further central bank cash pledges, and some rare spells of regeneration, markets have remained largely down throughout the course of this week, reflecting the perpetual fear of the future of the world economy.

With banks worldwide increasing their inter-bank lending interest rates, and bank liquidity high on the agenda of central bank meetings, investors are understandably exercising caution in their investment decisions.

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