UK regulator, eyeing wild stock market moves, says it is ready to act

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's financial markets regulator, responding to extreme share price movements in U.S. equity markets in recent days, said it would take "appropriate action" if there was evidence of actions that hurt consumers or markets.

"Buying shares in volatile markets is risky and you may quickly lose money. These losses are unlikely to be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme," the Financial Conduct Authority said.

"We will of course take appropriate action wherever we see evidence of firms or individuals causing harm to consumers or markets."

(Reporting by Andy Bruce; Writing by William Schomberg)