Berlin - German business confidence plunged to its lowest level in more than five years in October, a key survey released Monday said, as the world financial crisis triggered panic selling on global stock markets and fears grew about a looming recession.

The closely watched Ifo business confidence index dropped more than expected to 90.2 points this month from 92.9 points in September, adding to the prospects of the European Central Bank (ECB) cutting rates again possibly as early as next meeting on November 6.

ECB chief Jean Claude Trichet signalled Monday that the bank's rate-setting council might deliver another cut in borrowing costs at its meeting next month.

Berlin - Anti-globalization demonstrators invaded the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on Monday, chanting, waving banners and scattering leaflets inside Germany's principal financial marketplace.

"We are criticizing the dominance of financial markets," said Stephan Schilling, a member of the Attac Network coordinating circle, in Frankfurt after stock exchange guards had ushered the group outside again.

Although the world financial crisis has not yet affected the bulk of Germans, the daily gloom of the past few weeks has prompted a resurgence of interest in political protest and in leftist remedies in Germany.

Frankfurt - European Central Bank (ECB) chief Jean Claude Trichet signalled Monday that the bank's rate-setting council might deliver another cut in borrowing costs at its meeting next month.

"I consider possible that the Governing Council will decrease interest rates once again at its next meeting on November 6," said Trichet in a speech delivered in Madrid and posted on the Frankfurt- based bank's website.

"It is not a certainty, it is a possibility," he said with analysts expecting the ECB to cut borrowing costs again next month by 50 basis points, or half of one per cent.

Berlin - German business confidence fell sharply in October, a key survey released Monday said, as the world financial crisis triggered panic selling on global stock markets and fears grew about a

Tokyo - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso on Monday ordered the government and ruling parties to immediately implement measures to stabilize the stock market.

"Stock prices greatly influence the real economy," Aso said at a press conference. "In that sense, we have to consider various measures and implement them."

The government was expected to implement emergency measures such as a larger government fund to recapitalize ailing banks and help for employees to purchase stock in their companies, Aso said.

London - The Financial Times Share Index opened 100 points down at 3,883.36 points in London Monday, taking its lead from sharp falls on Asian markets.