- Asian shares sank this morning, as yesterday's Wall Street retreat and falling crude prices renewed investor worries over slowing global growth, while a mixed picture on Chinese manufacturing failed to impress markets.
- The flash HSBC/Markit manufacturing purchasing managers' index edged up to 50.4 from a final reading of 50.2 in September, while the manufacturing output subindex in October slipped to a 5-month low of 50.7 from 51.3.
- European shares are also down, with investors rattled by the threat of recession in Europe. Reports from Europe due later in the day will give investors another chance to determine the pulse of the world economy.
- Japan's Nikkei closed down 0.4%, Shanghai sank 1%; Hong Kong fell 0.3%.
- FTSE 100 -0.7%; CAC 40 -0.3%; DAX -0.2%; Euro Stoxx 50 -0.2%.