Global stock markets reeled Tuesday, extending heavy losses amid growing fears the European debt crisis threatens a return to recession and a spike in dangerous tensions between North and South Korea. However, in US, Standard & Poor's 500 Index gained 0.38 point, or 0.04 percent, to 1,074.03. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 22.82 points, or 0.23 percent, to 10,043.75. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 2.60 points, or 0.12 percent, to 2,210.95. Britain's FTSE 100 index was down 128.93 points, or 2.54 percent, at 4,940.68. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index fell 2.4 percent to 949.87 points, its lowest close since early September, 2009. Frankfurt's DAX index ended at 5,670.04 points, down 135.64 or 2.34 percent. Paris CAC-40 index closed at 3,331.29 points, down 99.64 or 2.90 percent. Zurich Swiss market index closed at 6,091.55 points, down 115.04 or 1.85 percent. Japan's Nikkei dropped 3.06 percent or 298.51 points to 9,459.89.
