A 15-day short-selling ban that went into effect today throughout Europe was roundly criticized.  [Might the U.S. follow suit?]  Market participants consider the restrictions a toothless move that won't change underlying euro zone issues.  CNBC reported, "The majority of the comments from European traders who spoke to CNBC.com on Thursday were not fit for publication." 

France, Italy, Belgium, Spain ("FIBS").   FIBS regulators hope that the ban in will reduce turbulence and slow aggressive sell-offs that have shaken markets recently.  Traders and analysts disagree, saying that the ban is simply trying to place blame for the market's performance on something tangible. 

European markets turned bearish Thursday amid rumors that major French banks including SocGen were overexposed to Greek sovereign debt.  Reports from U.K. newspaper Mail on Sunday claimed SocGen was on the edge of collapse, a claim the paper later rescinded and apologized for.  Yet despite numerous assurances from European officials, European markets continue to fall. [CNBC, 8/12/11]