Vienna - Austria's blue-chip ATX index dropped by 7.79 per cent in the first half hour of trading Monday, as stock markets around the world were still reeling from the financial crisis.

The two banks on the index of the Vienna stock exchange took the biggest hit.

Shares of Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG lost 11.93 per cent of their value, while Erste Group Bank AG fell by 11.38 per cent.

All 20 companies listed on the ATX traded lower than on Friday evening. (dpa)