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EUROPE: European markets fall amid fears of a global recession

Europe's main stock markets closed sharply lower on Friday after disappointing data in the US sparked concern about slowing growth and the prospect of recession in the world's biggest economy.

In London the FTSE 100 index lost 2.02 percent to finish at 6,348.50 points, in Paris the CAC 40 fell 1.79 percent to 5,446.79, while in Frankfurt the DAX lost 1.26 percent to end the day at 7,808.69.

"Any hopes of the FTSE finishing the week above the key 6,500 level have seemingly been dashed with some far-worse-than-expected payroll data out of the US," said Jimmy Yates, a dealer at CMC Markets. "Once again as the week draws to a close the prospect of a global recession is going to be dominating the thoughts of many."

The DJ Euro STOXX 50 index of eurozone shares fell 1.45 percent to 4,270.53 points.

In Paris shares in Renault lost 7.58 percent to 86.45 euros, closing at their lowest close since last March after Nissan, of which Renault owns 44 percent, reported that sales for last month fell 2.4 percent.

Elsewhere in Europe, in Madrid the IBEX 35 fell 1.71 percent to 14,856.5 points, in Milan the SP/MIB lost 1.61 percent to 37,450 points, in Amsterdam the AEX lost 1.59 percent to 500.60 points and in Brussels the BEL 20 shed 0.56 percent to 4,094.38 points. The Swiss SMI index plunged 2.27 percent to 8,129.98 points.
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