Market depressed by natural catastrophe and debt crisis concerns

Over the fortnight ending 6 September, the biggest falls occurred in the Asia-Pacific region where insurance sector stocks followed the rest of the financial services sector downwards as news of poor sales figures by Japanese motor manufacturers and the negative impact of the fast strengthening Yen on the exports of electronic companies and the overseas businesses of financial services companies. The damage caused by Typhoons Sepat and Fitow in Taiwan and Japan did not help either. Sompo Japan was the worst effected, falling by 7.4%.