Big losses on Wall Street as hopes faded for an agreement to avoid America's fiscal cliff on January 1 triggered falls for European markets today.
Experts fear the world's biggest economy will be plunged back into recession unless President Obama and Congress reach a compromise deal that will prevent a series of expiring tax cuts and across-the-board spending reductions.
There was some encouragement from figures showing Germany's economy slowed by less than expected in the third quarter, but overall sentiment was weak as the FTSE 100 Index slipped 16.3 points to 5705.7.
We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.
Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.
