Draghi says banks sensitive

(ANSA) - Brussels, February 15 - European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said Monday that bank stocks had been hit particularly hard by the recent turbulence on the markets because the financial sector is particularly sensitive to the weaker economic outlook. "Since the start of December a deterioration in economic sentiment has accelerated and become more volatile and susceptible to rapid changes," Draghi told the European Parliament. "In this climate, stock market prices have dropped and bank shares have been hit particularly hard, both globally and in Europe, reflecting the sector's high sensitivity to weaker-than-expected economic prospects".