Euro nations extend shorting bans

France, Italy and Spain have extended bans prohibiting the short-selling of selected financial stocks until at least mid-November.

The ban, originally implemented in Belgium, France, Italy and Spain on 12 August, has been extended until 11 November by French and Italian regulators, with the Spanish prohibition remaining in force until "market conditions allow" otherwise. France's securities regulator AMF said in a statement:"Regulators which had adopted comparable measures until 30 September, decided to extend their respective ban, while the AMF considered the conditions for lifting the restriction were not met." European financials have remained under pressure since 12 August, however. Shares in France's Societ...