European stock markets continued to slide on Friday, after a weaker-than-expected employment report from the US damaged sentiment and added to fears of a potential recession in the world’s biggest economy.

News of a net fall of 63,000 in the number of jobs held outside the US agricultural sector led to further pressure on the dollar. The euro hit fresh highs against the US currency in the immediate aftermath of the news, trading at $1.5459. Against the yen, the dollar stayed around an eight-year low at 101.76.