It followed news that the economies of Germany, France and Italy had all shrunk by more than expected.
Starting with more than expected jobless claims on Thursday then the disappointing non-farm payrolls report Friday.
Consumer spending expanded more than expected last month, the largest jump in seven months.
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Singapore's economy expanded more than expected in the fourth quarter, boosted by the manufacturing sector.
Italy's FTSE MIB index declined 0.6% after its November industrial output fell more than expected.
German industrial production and manufacturing orders fell by much more than expected in July.
Economic data supports the argument, with same store sales growing more than expected in March.
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On the positive side, German manufacturing orders increased more than expected, at up 3.9% in October.
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These calculations will be wrong if incomes stumble or consumers seek to save more than expected.
On the economic front, the Conference Board's consumer-confidence index for January fell more than expected.
The distinguishing characteristic is that oil and gas production slumped last year, far more than expected.
Only if euro-11 growth slows even more than expected should it become looser still.
The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week.
The number of U.S. workers seeking new unemployment benefits fell by 23, 000 last week, more than expected.
The ZEW economic-sentiment indicator dropped more than expected in April, helping send Germany's DAX index down 0.4%.
As regards the branch disposals, Lloyds is having to shed even more than expected by the markets.
U.S. consumer confidence declined by more than expected in January, while home prices declined slightly in November.
"The fourth-quarter operating income was up more than expected, " said RJ Hottovy, an equity analyst at Morningstar.
Japan's industrial output fell more than expected in August, as cars and electronics suffered from weak global demand.
BBC: Japan's industrial output slips as demand remains subdued
Donald Powell told reporters yesterday that rebuilding the New Orleans levies could cost billions of dollars more than expected.
More weak economic data came out of Germany Thursday, as the jobless rate rose more than expected in March.
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Molson Coors said its first-quarter profit rose more than expected on higher prices.
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In overnight news, European Union industrial production rose more than expected in February.
Private demand rose a more modest 1.3%, but even that was more than expected and cause for some encouragement.
Meanwhile the producer price index fell more than expected, dropping 0.4% in June.
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It seems that nearly 40% of bondholders have agreed, considerably more than expected, according to reports this morning.
"Spectrum risk remains, " the analysts said, referring to the danger that companies will pay more than expected for spectrum.
There was more bad news from Japan , as the economy weakened more than expected in the first quarter.
With Mac sales remaining strong, and iPod sales falling more than expected, Gene thinks the iPad is cannibalizing iPod sales.
Ms Lagarde said eurozone countries should not blindly stick to tough budget deficit targets if growth weakens more than expected.
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