Dire German debt auction rocks global markets

clock

A dire German bond auction rocked markets overnight, with Japan's Nikkei index hitting its lowest level since April 2009 as fears deepened over the eurozone crisis.

Japan’s leading index fell 1.8% to 8,165 , while the MSCI Asia Pacific dropped 0.5% to a seven-week low. In the US, the Dow Jones closed 236 points or 2.05% lower at 11,257, while the S&P 500 fell 2.21% or 26 points to close at 1,161. Banks led the S&P down after the Federal Reserve revealed its plans to stress test six banks against a global market shock such as contagion from the eurozone crisis. Credit default swaps on Bank of America debt climbed as fears intensified over the stability of US banks in the face of the threat from Europe. Meanwhile the FTSE 100 saw its longest ...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Economics / Markets

Interest rate cuts expected after UK GDP edges up 0.1%

Interest rate cuts expected after UK GDP edges up 0.1%

Construction output lowest since 2021

Patrick Brusnahan
clock 12 February 2026 • 2 min read
Leaked Budget document viewed almost 25,000 times ahead of speech

Leaked Budget document viewed almost 25,000 times ahead of speech

Office for Budget Responsibility chair Richard Hughes quit as a result

Jenna Brown
clock 11 February 2026 • 2 min read
BoE's Andrew Bailey: World economy 'remarkably resilient' amid uncertainty

BoE's Andrew Bailey: World economy 'remarkably resilient' amid uncertainty

Markets now 'cautious'

Patrick Brusnahan
clock 09 February 2026 • 1 min read