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Sterling falls to new low against the dollar in Asia trade Sterling falls to new low against the dollar in Asia trade
(about 3 hours later)
The pound has hit a new low in Asian trading as concerns about the UK's vote to leave the European Union continue to weigh on investor confidence.The pound has hit a new low in Asian trading as concerns about the UK's vote to leave the European Union continue to weigh on investor confidence.
It touched $1.2798 against the dollar on Wednesday, which is a 31-year low. It touched 1.2798 against the dollar on Wednesday, a 31-year low, before recovering slightly to $1.2929.
US government bond yields also fell to record lows as investors rushed to put money in perceived safe havens. The pound has now fallen about 14% against the dollar since hitting $1.50 ahead of the referendum result.
US government bond yields also fell to record lows as investors rushed to put money in perceived havens.
The falls follow decisions by fund managers, including Standard Life and Aviva, to stop investors withdrawing money from their UK property funds.The falls follow decisions by fund managers, including Standard Life and Aviva, to stop investors withdrawing money from their UK property funds.
They said the high levels of uncertainty caused by the referendum had led to investors rushing to pull their money out.They said the high levels of uncertainty caused by the referendum had led to investors rushing to pull their money out.
Investor confidence was further undermined by the Bank of England's warning on Tuesday that there was evidence some of the risks it identified related to Brexit were already emerging.Investor confidence was further undermined by the Bank of England's warning on Tuesday that there was evidence some of the risks it identified related to Brexit were already emerging.
Disappointing data on the UK services sector and a decline in US factory orders also fuelled pessimism.Disappointing data on the UK services sector and a decline in US factory orders also fuelled pessimism.
'More uncertainty''More uncertainty'
Financial markets were shaken by the Brexit vote two weeks ago, with trillions of dollars lost from global equity markets and currencies like the pound suffered steep falls.Financial markets were shaken by the Brexit vote two weeks ago, with trillions of dollars lost from global equity markets and currencies like the pound suffered steep falls.
They have since recovered some ground on speculation central banks will ramp up stimulus measures to stabilise the markets.They have since recovered some ground on speculation central banks will ramp up stimulus measures to stabilise the markets.
However, investors now face more uncertainty after UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who campaigned for the UK to stay in the EU announced his resignation, leading to a sharply contested ballot to replace him as leader of the Conservative Party and PM.However, investors now face more uncertainty after UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who campaigned for the UK to stay in the EU announced his resignation, leading to a sharply contested ballot to replace him as leader of the Conservative Party and PM.
As a result, there has been a rush to buy up government debt, another safe haven investment, from certain countries. As a result, there has been a rush to buy up government debt, another haven investment, from certain countries.
This includes 10-year US, UK, Swiss and German bonds which have seen their yields at or near their lowest on record.This includes 10-year US, UK, Swiss and German bonds which have seen their yields at or near their lowest on record.
Yields on Australian and Japanese government bonds have also hit record lows.Yields on Australian and Japanese government bonds have also hit record lows.
High demand tends to push up bond prices, and when the price of bonds rises their yield falls.High demand tends to push up bond prices, and when the price of bonds rises their yield falls.
Asian marketsAsian markets
Meanwhile, Asian stock markets are falling due to the renewed Brexit concerns. The renewed Brexit concerns hit Asian stock markets. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 shares index closed 1.85% lower at 15,378.99, but it had been more than 3% lower at one point during the day.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 has dropped nearly 3% and the broader Topix has shed 2.6% as the yen, another safe haven investment, strengthened against the US dollar. The broader Topix index shed 1.8% to 1,234.20 as the yen, another haven investment, strengthened against the US dollar.
South Korea's Kospi fell 2% and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index is down 1.4%. South Korea's Kospi index fell 1.9% to close at 1,953.12 and its currency the won extended losses to a one-week low.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 1.9% and the Shanghai Composite is 0.4% lower. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 shares index lost 0.6% to shut at 5,197.50.
Indonesia, India, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines stock markets are closed for holidays. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was down 1.7% at 20,404.47, although the Shanghai Composite edged up 0.1% to 3,009.54.
Stock markets in Indonesia, India, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines are closed for holidays.