European stock markets fell on Wednesday, with Frankfurt shares briefly shedding more than 2.0 percent as speculation swirled over a potential credit rating downgrade, dealers said. In afternoon trade, Frankfurt's DAX 30 index of top companies sank as low as 7,514.01 points. It later stood at 7,547.77, down 1.75 percent from Tuesday's closing level. Elsewhere, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index slid 0.58 percent to 6,238.31 points, and in Paris the CAC 40 dropped 1.48 percent to 3,631.23 points.

European stock markets closed lower on Tuesday as upbeat US data failed to take investor's minds off of weaker economic prospects for the global economy. London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of top companies slid 0.62 percent to 6,304.58 points while in Paris the CAC 40 was off by 0.67 percent at 3,685.79. Frankfurt's DAX 30 lost 0.39 percent to 7,682.58 points as dealers also digested news that German investor sentiment fell by more than expected in April.

European stock markets fell on Monday and gold plunged to a two-year low on news that the powerhouse Chinese economy slowed down in the first quarter of 2013, dealers said. In afternoon trade, London's FTSE 100 index of top companies sank 0.82 percent to 6,332.18 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 was off by 0.43 percent to 7,711.74 points and in Paris the CAC 40 lost 0.67 percent to 3,703.78 points.

European stock markets fell sharply on Monday and gold plunged to a two-year low after news that the powerhouse Chinese economy slowed down in the first quarter of 2013, dealers said. In midday deals, London's FTSE 100 index of top companies sank 1.19 percent to 6,308.17 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 1.04 percent to 7,662.35 points and in Paris the CAC 40 lost 1.02 percent to 3,691.13 points. On the London Bullion Market, gold prices slumped to $1,398.85 per ounce. That was the lowest level since March 2011 and compared with $1,535.50 late on Friday.