US crude oil dropped below $50 a barrel for the first time in five-and-a-half years, sending energy stocks into a tailspin and fuelling a broader sell-off on Wall Street as fears grew of a global economic slowdown.
The dollar strengthened against a basket of rivals to a nine-year high, while the euro sank to a nine-year low against the US currency.
The nervous start to the year on financial markets reflected growing fears that the world was facing the twin threat of slower growth and deflation, combined with worries about the impending Greek elections and the speed of the oil price fall.
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