Fears are mounting that an inconclusive election in Italy this weekend could rattle markets, setting back the countries reform efforts. Julia Chatterley has more from Milan.
Roelof van den Akker, senior technical analyst at ING Wholesale Banking, gives CNBC a technical look at whether this market pullback is a one of or the start of a long term trend.
Simon Hayes, chief UK economist at Barclays Capital, tells CNBC that investors should plan for a less volatile market but be braced for significantly lower returns.
Mike Ingram, market analyst at BGC Brokers, tells CNBC that the market is addicted to cheap money and the Fed simply won't try to force it to go cold turkey.
A sharp fall on the Milan stock market hit European shares on Thursday, with uncertainty over this weekend's Italian elections pushing a key euro zone equity index to its lowest level since the start of 2013.
Emmanuel Babeau, CFO of Schneider Electric, tells CNBC why he expects the company to see a return to form in China this year, after 2012 saw negative growth there for the first time in 20 years.
Marcus Ashworth, head of fixed income at Espirito Santo Investment Bank, tells CNBC why this week's market slump was merely a correction after a good run.
Patrick Spencer, MD and director of international equity sales at Baird, tells CNBC why the market is in a stable, healthy state and investors shouldn't be too worried by Wednesday's blip in the US markets.
Patrick McKeever, equity analyst at MKM Partners LLC, has neutral rating on Walmart, adding the company is well-capitalized and has lots of cash on the balance sheet.
Harry Tchilinguirian, head of commodity markets at BNP Paribas, says the sharp moves in oil prices have been motivated by mixed U.S. and euro zone data, adding not just oil but every other commmodities are impacted.
Andrew People, writer of Heard on the Street at WSJ, tells CNBC why all involved in the Bumi boardroom battle have come out with tarnished reputations.
Tomo Kinoshita, chief economist, Japan, at Nomura International, tells CNBC why Japan's monetary easing means the next BoJ governor will inherit a much more positive situation than that of his predecessor.
Peter Oppenheimer, chief global equity strategist at Goldman Sachs, tells CNBC that the prospects for equities still look good, but it's not surprising that we are seeing a pullback.
Nat Rothschild, founder of NR Investments and a shareholder in Bumi PLC, tells CNBC that the shareholder vote is too close to call but minority shareholders have voted against the board. He also makes other allegations that have been denied by Bumi.
Gareth Penny, executive chairman of New World Resources, tells CNBC that they have seen coal prices reduce by thirty percent over the course of 2012 which has resulted in a loss for the business.
Jim Hagemann Snabe, Co-CEO of SAP, tells CNBC that the technology industry is going through a relatively large change and their innovation strategy has paid off.
Ahmed Heikal, chairman and chief executive of Citadel Capital, tells CNBC that the Muslim Brotherhood is clearly pro-markets and learning but the country is pressed for time.