Why are markets plunging and which stocks are worst hit?

Rising US interest rates, trade war tensions and uncertainty in Italy provide a volatile mix

A volatile week across global stock markets has escalated into a frenzied sell-off, with European stock markets plunging to their lowest level in 20 months on Thursday. In the UK the FTSE 100 fell to a six-month low after Wall Street suffered its biggest drop in eight months, with the Dow Jones losing more than 800 points.

Related: World stock markets dive as Trump attacks 'crazy' US rate hikes