US markets see worst losses for two months on tapering fears

New claims for jobless benefits fell to almost a six-year low in the last week, figures showed, as the US economy continues to get back on its feet. But with the Fed linking any future policy action to the unemployment rate, the drop spooked investors. Coupled with poor results from the US' largest retailer, Wal-Mart, which missed revenue expectations and reported a decline in like-for-like sales, the data was enough to send shares lower as investors bet it could bring forward the Federal Reserve's plan to taper its stimulus package. As a result, all the US' major indices tumbled, ...