US indices remain at limit down, with......>

EQUITIES: US indices remain at limit down, with the e-mini S&P bottomed out at

2819 at typing as the index hit overnight limits shortly following the open. In

Europe, broad based losses are seen across the board with mainland indices down

between 6-7%. Peripheral equities, most notably Italy, are suffering. The

FTSE-MIB has traded lower by as much as 11% today.

- A number of global stock indices have hit bear market territory today, notably

in Asia and Europe as UK, Indonesia and Singapore equities retreat over 20% from

the recent peak. The equivalent level in S&P cash today is 2,714.

- Unsurprisingly, the squeeze in oil prices has led the energy sector to

underperform, with Stoxx 600's energy sector down just shy of 15% already. Just

3 of the 600 stocks in the index are higher today.

- Interestingly, after gapping considerably lower at the open, RyanAir shares

are outperforming, rallying around 9.5% from the open so far today.

- VIX futures have been bid from the off, topping 50 points for the first time

since the Global Financial Crisis.