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| - Major stock markets fell back again Thursday as investors reacted to rising virus infections, new lockdowns, a slowing economic recovery, stalled US stimulus talks and US election uncertainty. Months of stunning gains in global equities came to a sputtering halt this month, and expectations are fading that a wave of fresh cash from governments and central banks will jump-start a rebound. "Markets are digesting and grappling with this idea that the growth expectations that investors have might not materialise," said Lauren Goodwin at New York Life Investments. "As the fiscal impulse in the US starts to wane, some of these expectations for a slow and steady recovery are shaken." The latest example was initial US jobs claims that rose for the week of September 19 after expectations they would drop, and as trading got underway in New York, the Dow Jones index showed a loss of 0.5 percent. "US stocks are adding to yesterday's drop in early action, with the markets continuing to grapple with a host of uncertainties," the Schwab Market Update noted. With the northern hemisphere now moving into autumn and winter, there is also concern that a second wave of coronavirus will see the reimposition of strict, economically devastating containment measures. France is shutting bars and restaurants in its second-biggest city Marseille and putting it on "maximum alert", while several other cities, including Paris, will see new restrictions as well. Britain's government has also shortened pub opening hours and has warned of other measures, while Spain's Madrid region has locked down roughly 850,000 people and plans to extend its curbs. US traders are now growing concerned that rising infections at home could see similar moves, and several Federal Reserve officials including boss Jerome Powell have called for a new stimulus package to mitigate the impact. But politicians on Capitol Hill appear deadlocked ahead of the presidential election in November. Michael Hewson at CMC Markets said: "The main problem the Fed has is that US politicians appear more interested in fighting an election campaign than helping to pass a new stimulus plan which would help the American people." London - FTSE 100: DOWN 1.0 percent at 5,843.41 points Frankfurt - DAX 30: DOWN 0.2 percent at 12,622.05 Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.5 percent at 4,780.05 EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 0.5 percent at 3,165.07 New York - Dow Jones: DOWN 0.5 percent at 26,631.37 Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.1 percent at 23,087.82 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng: DOWN 1.8 percent at 23,311.07 (close) Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 1.7 percent at 3,223.18 (close) Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1641 from $1.1660 at 2115 GMT Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2749 from $1.2722 Euro/pound: DOWN at 91.32 pence from 91.62 pence Dollar/yen: UP at 105.45 yen from 105.39 yen West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.3 percent at $39.80 per barrel Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 0.5 percent at $41.57 per barrel dan-bcp/wai/tgb
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