Markets roiled by fresh US sanctions on Russia

LONDON (AP) — Another round of U.S. sanctions on Russia weighed on markets Thursday. News that a Malaysia Airlines passenger plane carrying 295 had been shot down over Ukraine added to the negative tone.

Russia’s MICEX index underperformed the world market, closing down 3.8 percent, a day after the latest round of U.S. sanctions, which targeted two major energy firms, a pair of powerful financial institutions, eight weapons firms and four individuals. The U.S. penalties are meant to increase pressure to end the insurgency in eastern Ukraine believed to be supported by Moscow.