US stock markets end lower again

(Close: US stocks closed lower again, reflecting continuing concerns about the Chinese economy and uncertainty over US interest rates.

The Dow Jones fell 114.98 points, or 0.69%, to 16,528.03. The tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped 1.1% to 4,776.51, while the S&P 500 lost 0.84% to 1,972.18.

Energy companies were among the few risers after data showed a surprise cut in US oil production.

Chevron and Exxon Mobil rose 0.7% and 0.2% respectively.

US markets sustained heavy losses at the beginning of last week before bouncing back. Investors had hoped to see more stability at the start of the new trading week, but confidence remains fragile.

"The market turmoil will continue in the near future," said Koen De Leus from KBC Bank.

"China is the catalyst, but the real reason for the sell-off is the nervousness about the first US rate hike."

On the currency markets, the dollar lost three-tenths of a cent against the euro, to 89.07 cents, and was almost unchanged against the pound at 64.95 pence.