Stockholm Stock Exchange falls heavily after Iran delegation breaks off contact with U.S.

The afternoon's data reinforced the Stockholm Stock Exchange's decline, from relatively modest to something more like blood red.

Among the companies that fell on the OMXS30 index, defense group Saab was at the bottom, down 5.8 percent. AB Volvo also fell, down just over 3 percent.

Stock markets in Europe were also weak, with London, Paris and Frankfurt all closing in the red.

The price of North Sea oil (Brent) - which fell at the end of last week amid hopes of an end to the war - has climbed significantly after news of a halt in negotiations and was trading at 5:30 p.m. at just over $96 per barrel.