LONDON - Britain's top shares fell 2.3 percent to hit a three-week closing low, dragged down by falls in energy stocks after BG Group posted a sharp drop in net profit, while miners tracked weaker metals.

The FTSE 100 closed at 5,080.42 points, down 120.55 points.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European shares hit a three-week closing low, hurt by disappointing earnings from Spain's Banco Santander and Germany's SAP and on data showing US new home sales unexpectedly fell in September.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares fell 1.9 percent to a close of 980.23 points, its lowest close since October 5.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 5,496.27 points, down 138.75 or 2.46 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,663.78 points, down 80.17 or 2.14 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,279.94 points, down 88.03 or 1.38 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 22,761.11 points, down 560.05 or 2.4 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei average hit its lowest close in two weeks, as tech stocks fell after weaker-than-expected US consumer data while household products maker Kao dropped after cutting its annual earnings projections. In light trade, the Nikkei shed 1.35 percent or 137.41 points to 10,075.05, the lowest close since October 14.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Shares fell for a second straight session, as investors dumped Wynn Macau after its parent painted a gloomy outlook, while airlines moved higher on upbeat earnings. The Hang Seng Index fell 1.84 percent or 408.01 points to 21,761.58, its lowest level in more than a week.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Stocks slid 1.44 percent, with banks leading the falls after National Australia Bank warned of headwinds while miners lost ground as the Australian dollar dropped. The S&P/ASX 200 index lost 68.4 points to finish at 4,685.1, adding to a 76.8 point decline on Tuesday.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's rand fell sharply against the dollar, touching a near two-month low as risk aversion swept across global markets, while weaker resource stocks led the local bourse lower.

The All-share index closed at 26,056.48 points, down 462.24 or 1.74 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,476.54 points, down 46.9 or 1.86 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 20,565.22 points, down 211.54 or 1.02 percent.