US markets fall on Europe fears

US investors jettisoned shares in early trading following a warning from consumer giant Walmart, piling on the pressure following weaker than expected German economic growth.

Walmart, the country's largest retailer by revenues, fired a warning that US shoppers were under continued economic pressure, while reporting sales declined for the ninth consecutive quarter. The comments from the supermarket giant, a bellwether for consumer sentiment, added to the negative mood already in markets after German GDP growth dived. In reaction the S&P 500 was off 10 points or almost 1% at open, falling to 1,194, while the Dow shed 96.12 points to 11,386. However, some of the falls were down to profit-taking after a strong rally over the last three days. UK markets s...