Weak Chinese data knocks down stock markets 
 
 

Exports from the world's second-biggest economy tumbled 25.4 percent in February compared with the same month last year, while its imports dropped 13.8 percent.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index .FTEU3 fell 1 percent while the MSCI All-Country World index .MIWD00000PUS weakened 0.3 percent.

Japan's safe-haven yen JPY= notched up gains while the low-yielding euro EUR= moved up against the dollar on Tuesday as appetite for riskier assets and currencies waned following the weak Chinese data. [FRX/]

The soft Chinese exports figures also impacted oil and metals prices. [O/R] [MET/L]

"At the moment we're in a bear stock market. Everyone's looking for an excuse to sell out, and the reason today for a lot of investors is the weak China data," said Andreas Clenow, hedge fund principal and trader at ACIES Asset Management.

The MSCI Emerging Market index .MSCIEF fell 0.7 percent while U.S. stock index futures SPc1 also declined.

The euro was also impacted on currency markets by expectations of more monetary stimulus measures by the European Central Bank (ECB) this Thursday, as the ECB seeks to boost economic activity within the euro zone.

Already struggling with ultra low inflation after years of crisis, the ECB has all but promised policy easing on Thursday but the devil will lie in the details.