Insurers and fund managers were also hit, trading lower as the value of their investment portfolios was seen falling. France AXA stock fell 2.9% in Paris and shares in U.K. hedge fund manager Man Group dropped 4.5% in London.

Oil and gold

Crude oil was little changed before a report today that''s expected to show U.S. gasoline stockpiles fell for a fifth week as refineries shut for maintenance and repairs. Crude oil for April delivery rose 1 cent, or 0.02%, to $57.94 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, in early trade in London. Brent crude for April settlement fell 10 cents to $60.80 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures exchange.

Gold fell to a one-week low on speculation slowing U.S. economic growth will stall demand for the precious metal as a hedge against inflation. Gold for immediate delivery declined $3.40, or 0.5 percent, to $640.40 an ounce at 10:48 a.m. London time.

Currencies

The euro dipped against the dollar on Wednesday on growing concern that loose lending practices in the United States could be felt worldwide. The euro bought $1.3190 in afternoon European trading, down nominally from $1.3196 in New York late Tuesday. The British pound fell to $1.9233 from $1.9303 as traders waited for that country latest unemployment information. The dollar also dropped to 116.10 Japanese yen from 116.52 yen.