In Europe, Germany's benchmark DAX index sunk a significant 10.8%, while France's CAC40 fell 10.0%.

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France's Cac40 rose 2.3%, Germany's Dax rose 1.0% and the UK's FTSE 100 gained 0.8%.

BBC: Stock markets shake off higher borrowing costs

The FTSE 100 in London and the Cac40 in Paris both ended the day lower, which the Dax in Frankfurt posted a gain.

BBC: Eurozone's growth has stalled, says EU

Greek stocks, which have been on a tear over the past few months, slid 0.8% on Wednesday, much less than the 2% decline clocked by both the German DAX and the French CAC40.

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CAC40 are still thus entwined.

ECONOMIST: Minority shareholders