Global markets slide as jet crash sends investors to safe havens

Global shares and US treasury yields fell on Thursday and Friday while gold soared as investors sought safety following a passenger jet crash in Ukraine.

Reports the Malaysian Airlines plane, carrying 298 people, had been shot down close to the Ukraine-Russian border triggered panic selling as investors feared simmering political tensions were about to ignite. Both Russia and Ukraine deny involvement in the crash, which comes just one day after the US increased economic sanctions against Moscow. Asian markets faltered, with the Japanese Nikkei falling 1% and the Hang Seng 0.5% lower. In Europe, the Dax ended the session 1% lower and the French CAC 1.2% down, while the FTSE closed 0.68% down at 6,738. The S&P 500 was down 1.2% whi...