Stocks slide amid concerns about Europe

AFP - Shares in London slid at the start of trade on Friday amid concerns over the Greece debt crisis and Europe's economic health in general.

Retailers entered the holiday shopping season with high hopes for big sales numbers, but unless shoppers perk up between now and Christmas, major chains may see a lump of coal on their balance sheets.  

Stocks opened modestly higher Friday ahead of the long holiday weekend as investors took stock of a mixed bag of data about the economy.

World markets fall sharply following a huge sell-off on Wall Street and amid fears that Europe's debt crisis could spread and derail the global economic recovery.

A strike by workers at Spain's national rail company disrupted train services Wednesday as millions prepared to leave on a four-day Easter holiday weekend.One in four long and medium-distance trains were cancelled, including several on the high-speed line between Madrid and Barcelona, affecting over 13,000 passengers, the railway network Renfe said.Passengers on trains affected by the work stoppage were given the option of travelling on a later date or getting a refund.

The Mole submits: Risk assets struggled Thursday and into Asian trade Friday as a combination of negatives again highlighted the degree to which the rally from March had left them fully priced for the global recovery that is occurring, with little or no room for any disappointment.