Markets weighed down by geopolitical tensions and Brexit worries - business live
(The Guardian Business News)

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as tensions in the Gulf push the oil price higherIntroduction: Lots to fret about todayGerman ministry says economy weakOil up as UK-Iran tensions mount 8.23am BST Asia-Pacific stock markets have fallen today, dragged down by worries over the global economy -- and fresh protests in Hong Kong.China´s Shanghai index tumbled by 1.3%, closely followed by Hong Kong´s Hang Seng (-1.2%) while Japan´s Nikkei lost 0.25%.The Hang Seng is suffering yet another Monday hangover as weekend demonstrations gridlocked Hong Kong again. The pro-democracy protests that began last month in opposition to the contentious extradition bill are showing little signs of abating.The longer these demonstrations persist, the more massive of a toll both in real and psychological terms will negatively imprint on Hong Kong´s thriving financial centre. Related: `Where were the police?` Hong Kong outcry after masked thugs launch attack 8.13am BST Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the world economy, the financial markets, the eurozone and business.Global markets are subdued this morning, weighed down by worries over the global economy, rising tensions in the Middle East, and the prospect of a new UK prime minister.`Leading indicators as well as shrinking order books point to a lasting period of economic weakness in the industrial sector.`FT: Fed poised to lower rates for first time in a decade #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/ZEfYsxAej6 Related: UK defence minister rejects criticism over tanker seized in Gulf #CrudeCheck |