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- China offers $325 bn in fiscal stimulus for ailing economy
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- US, European markets rise as investors weigh rates, earnings
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- Little progress at key meet ahead of COP29 climate summit
- 'Party atmosphere': Skygazers treated to another aurora show
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- European Mediterranean states discuss Middle East, migration
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- Stock markets diverge before China weekend briefing
- EU questions shopping app Temu over illegal products risk
- Han Kang's books sell out in South Korea after Nobel win
- Shanghai markets sink ahead of briefing on mixed day for Asia
- Investors, analysts eye bigger China stimulus at Saturday briefing
- Musk unveils robotaxi, pledges it 'before 2027'
- At least 11 dead in Florida but Hurricane Milton not as bad as feared
- Asian markets mixed after Wall St drop, Shanghai dips before briefing
- Automaker Stellantis says CEO will retire in 2026
- Musk's promised robotaxi unveil delayed
- On US coast, wind power foes embrace 'Save the Whales' argument
- At least 10 dead in Florida after Hurricane Milton spawns tornadoes
- Internet Archive reels from 'catastrophic' cyberattack, data breach
- Wall Street stocks retreat from records on US inflation data
- Israel strikes central Beirut, killing 22
- Solar storm could impact US hurricane recovery efforts: agency
- Delta eyes Election Day travel pullback as profits climb
- Florida battered by hurricane, floods but spared 'worst-case scenario'
- UK's William and Kate in first joint public engagement since cancer treatment
- Over 200 women in legal talks with Harrods over Fayed abuse claims
- A very stiff breeze: BBC says sorry for 20,000 kph wind forecast
- Musk finally unveiling his long-promised robotaxi
- London's Frieze art fair goes potty for ceramics
- US, Europe stocks fall on US inflation data
- US consumer inflation eases to 2.4% in September
- Hurricane Milton tornadoes kill four in Florida amid rescue efforts
- South Korea's Han Kang wins literature Nobel
- Ikea posts fall in annual sales after lowering prices
- Stock markets diverge, oil gains after China rebounds
- World can't 'waste time' trading climate change blame: COP29 hosts
- South Korean same-sex couples make push for marriage equality
- Mumbai declares day of mourning for Indian industrialist Ratan Tata
- 7-Eleven owner restructures to fight takeover
Stock markets slip on auto woes, economy fears
Global equities slid on Thursday on auto sector woes and economic fears about the prospect of more interest rates aimed at cooling high inflation.
Share prices of carmakers were hit hard after Tesla posted tumbling first-quarter profits as steep price cuts ate into margins at Elon Musk's electric auto company.
European indices followed Asia into fresh losses after a tepid session on Wall Street, while oil prices fell further and the dollar declined.
"European markets are in the red on Thursday in what continues to be a choppy week of trading driven by economic and interest rate uncertainty," said analyst Craig Erlam at trading firm Oanda.
Stubbornly high UK inflation and worries over more central bank moves to tame rampant consumer prices dented markets on Wednesday.
Higher borrowing costs curb consumer spending and ramp up the cost of credit for businesses and individuals alike, derailing economic activity.
"Investors are once again worried about the outlook for the global economy," added Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
"Markets have stalled over the past few days, with the latest corporate updates failing to move the dial."
- Carmakers hit the skids -
Shares in French giant Renault shed almost seven percent despite strong first-quarter earnings, while peer Stellantis sank four percent.
In Frankfurt, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen each skidded about three percent lower.
"Margins/demand being stuffed is not just Tesla-specific. More price cuts to come affects all," Finalto analyst Neil Wilson told AFP.
Elsewhere on Thursday, Swedish truck-maker Volvo saw jumping first-quarter orders and upgraded its annual sales forecast.
In the telecoms sector, Finnish group Nokia reported weaker than expected earnings as cash-strapped consumers reined in spending.
Results from US regional banks were also in focus after last month's turmoil saw three go under and Credit Suisse taken over.
Markets have in recent days been optimistic that central banks, and particularly the US Federal Reserve, will be able to wind down their rate-hiking drive soon after data showed inflation slowing down.
But investors have been jolted by news this week of UK inflation surging more than 10 percent on-year in March owing to soaring food costs.
The news has fanned bets that the Bank of England will hike rates again at its next meeting in May.
- Key figures around 1100 GMT -
London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 percent at 7,888.69 points
Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 0.8 percent at 15,766.88
Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.4 percent at 7,516.07
EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 0.5 percent at 4,372.41
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.2 percent at 28,657.57 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.1 percent at 20,396.97 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 3,367.03 (close)
New York - Dow: DOWN 0.2 percent at 33,897.01 (close)
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0975 from $1.0955 on Wednesday
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2441 from $1.2439
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 134.53 yen from 134.72 yen
Euro/pound: UP at 88.21 pence from 88.07 pence
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 1.6 percent at $77.90 per barrel
Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 1.5 percent at $81.90 per barrel
burs-rfj/bcp/gil
A.Zimmermann--CPN