European stocks close sharply lower

London - European stocks closed sharply lower on Monday as worries about the Chinese economy took a heavy toll and geopolitical concerns added to negative sentiment.

The Frankfurt stock exchange posted the heaviest losses, with the Dax finishing the first 2016 business day 4.3% down at 10 283.44.

In London, the FTSE-100 index closed 2.4% down at 6 093.43, and the CAC-40 in Paris dropped 2.5% to 4 522.45.