Fear and volatility are returning to global financial markets in full force as stocks swing wildly and signs mount of a deepening economic downturn.

As a new bout of fear gripped the financial markets on Thursday, stocks fell sharply again, and the credit markets seized up as confidence in the nation's financial system ebbed.

Stocks fell sharply Thursday in Europe and Asia, a day after a withering sell-off on Wall Street sent U.S. stocks to their lowest close since 2003.

Africa is considered to be very vulnerable to the crisis and recent indicators show that the continents' stocks have fallen due to information from the international markets

Cisco, Amazon, Comcast, and other tech stocks surge on market rally. Dow posts gain of nearly 900 points.

Stocks fell sharply in Europe and Asia, and the euro and British pound fell to their lowest points against the dollar in years. Oil prices dropped below $70 a barrel.

Stocks across the Asia-Pacific region were sharply lower, as investors reeled from the overnight developments on Wall Street.

As stocks spiraled lower around the world, the Federal Reserve considered a radical plan to jump-start the ailing financial system.

Stocks tumbled around the world on Monday and opened sharply lower on Wall Street as fears grew that the financial crisis was spreading.

Stocks end down for second day as investors await a clear, rapid approval of the Treasury's $700 billion plan.