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           Asian, European Stocks Plunge on Weak Chinese Factory Data

   Stocks in Asia and Europe plunged Thursday after a report unexpectedly
   showed Chinese manufacturing is shrinking.
   Japan`s Nikkei stock index tumbled 7.3 percent after release of the
   report showing Chinese factory production dropped in May for the first
   time in seven months. It was the biggest one-day loss since Japan`s
   March 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster.
   Stocks in London, Paris and Frankfurt followed suit, dropping about 2
   percent. U.S. future indexes fell ahead of the opening of trading in
   New York.
   Economic growth in China, the world`s second largest economy, remains
   ahead of the government`s 7.5 percent target for 2013. But its 7.8
   percent growth last year was the slowest in 13 years.
   The drop in the Nikkei index -- 1,143 points -- was its 11th largest
   ever.
   Markets fared little better elsewhere in Asia. Sydney closed down
   nearly 2 percent. South Korean shares fell 1.2 percent. Shanghai and
   Hong Kong also were down.
   Investors also may have been affected by a statement Wednesday from
   U.S. Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke that the central bank could
   scale back on its massive stimulus measures if the U.S. economy
   improves over the coming months.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/asian-european-stocks-plunge-on-weak-
   chinese-factory-data/1666789.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/asian-european-stocks-plunge-on-weak-chinese-factory-data/1666789.html