London (AFP) - European stock markets rebounded on Wednesday, recovering some ground following sharp losses the previous session on fears of a global recession.
Oil prices slid further, with WTI near $98 per barrel.
The euro hit a fresh 20-year low point under $1.02 -- the European single currency fast closing in on parity as traders eye recession for the eurozone and aggressive interest-rate hikes in the United States to combat decades-high inflation.
"Worries about a big global slowdown are still gripping financial markets and that nervousness is unlikely to dissipate any time soon," noted Susannah Streeter, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.
Crude futures had slumped nearly 10 percent Tuesday, while Europe's main stock markets lost about three percent.
But on Wednesday, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index was up 1.6 percent in afternoon trading -- and the pound was mixed against main rivals -- after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was rocked by the resignation of finance minister Rishi Sunak.
"Political risks do not seem to be having a major impact on UK assets," noted Markets.com analyst Neil Wilson.
"There are far too many bigger things on our minds right now -- inflation, the economy slowing down, strikes."
Britain is in the midst of nationwide strikes -- affecting in particular the transport sector -- as wages are eroded by the rocketing inflation.
Britain's health secretary, Sajid Javid, joined Sunak in resigning Tuesday, with both ministers saying they could no longer tolerate the culture of scandal that has stalked Johnson for months.
The embattled prime minister moved quickly to replace them, picking Iraqi-born Nadhim Zahawi as his new chancellor of the exchequer, who steps up from his role as education minister.
Elsewhere Wednesday, Asian equity markets closed mostly lower amid a fresh flare-up of coronavirus cases in parts of China that has seen some cities locked down as part of officials' zero-Covid policy.
Investors are meanwhile growing increasingly concerned that sharp interest rate hikes could trigger a global recession.
Wall Street stocks opened modestly higher, with the Dow adding 0.2 percent.
They had resisted the slump in other markets on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both closing in the green.
"It appeared as if the market warmed up yesterday to notions of inflation relief that stemmed from falling commodity prices, particularly oil and gas, as well as to the notion that the Fed may not have to be as aggressive with its rate-hike program as initially feared," said Patrick J. O'Hare at Briefing.com.
Key figures at around 1330 GMT
London - FTSE 100: UP 1.6 percent at 7,137.07 points
Frankfurt - DAX: UP 1.7 percent at 12,614.73
Paris - CAC 40: UP 1.9 percent at 5,904.89
EURO STOXX 50: UP 2.0 percent at 3,428.28
New York - Dow: UP 0.2 percent 30,015.00
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.2 percent at 26,107.65 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 1.2 percent at 21,586.66 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 1.4 percent at 3,355.35 (close)
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0195 from $1.0266 on Tuesday
Euro/pound: DOWN at 85.52 pence from 85.85 pence
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 135.05 yen from 135.87 yen
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.1921 from $1.1956
Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 0.9 percent at $101.81 per barrel
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 1.4 percent at $98.07 per barrel
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