Barclays (BARC.L), a big UK lender, fell as much as 8% after signalling major cost cuts because of weakness on its home turf. Mark Denham, head of European equities at Carmignac, said high quality companies with high valuations tend to be very vulnerable if they miss earnings. According to Kasper Elmgreen, CIO at Nordea Asset Management, the fact that the economy is now starting to slow is one factor behind investors' harsh treatment of earnings disappointments. Amid the volatility, some investors see a buying opportunity in overly punished stocks. It is an example of a highly valued stock being extra punished for the environment," Denham said.

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Persons: Morgan Stanley, Angelo Meda, Mark Denham, Denham, Kasper Elmgreen, Elmgreen, Fabio Di Giansante, Carmignac's Denham, Danilo Masoni, Alun John, Joice Alves, Amanda Cooper, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Sanofi, Barclays, Banor SIM, Siemens Energy, Volkswagen, Volvo, Asset Management, Euroland Equity, pharma, Thomson Locations: Milan, Swiss, London