Global stock markets fall as growth fears rattle investors

Fears about rising prices and slowing economies have spread to UK and European stock markets following sharp falls in the US and Asia.

The FTSE 100 index of leading companies sank 2.5% on Thursday while the main stock markets in France and Germany saw similar declines.

On Wednesday, US shares recorded their biggest one-day drop since the early days of the Covid pandemic in 2020.

Markets were spooked by gloomy forecasts from major US retailers. read more