Asian stock markets fell today as jittery investors awaited a deadline for Greece to get sufficient support from its private creditors for a debt reduction deal or face default.

Asian stock markets fell today, with slower-than-expected growth in the US and uncertainty about a tentative deal to resolve Greece’s debt crisis weighing on investor sentiment.

Early trading in Europe has been skittish after a downgrade of France's long-term credit rating by Standard and Poor's on Friday.

World stocks rose today amid growing optimism that European leaders will approve aggressive plans by the end of the week to rescue the region from a debt crisis that has rocked financial markets for months.

Asian stock markets soared after major central banks acted in concert to lower borrowing costs, hoping to prevent a global credit crisis similar to the one that followed the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008.

World stocks were boosted today by a robust start to the US holiday shopping season and reports that European leaders are considering legal means to force debt-ridden euro countries into fiscal discipline.

The turmoil on world markets intensified today amid fresh fears of an Italian default after the country’s borrowing costs soared to unsustainable levels.

Asian stock markets struggled but European shares advanced today as fears that Italy could become the next domino to fall in Europe’s debt crisis were muted by Greece edging back from the brink.