DHAKA: Asian markets have opened lower, starting what is expected to be a global sell-off after the attacks in Paris on Friday night that killed 129.

In Hong Kong the benchmark Hang Seng Index fell 1.96%, while in Japan, the benchmark Nikkei 225 index dropped 1%.

Market sentiment was weak before the attacks, with the UK’s FTSE 100 closing at a six-week low and Wall Street having its worst week since August.

French financial markets will open as usual on Monday, Euronext has said, reports the BBC.

A spokesperson for the stock and derivatives exchange said, ‘Our priority is the safety of our staff and there will therefore be extra security in place in Paris on Monday’.

The euro, already under pressure from expectations that the European Central Bank could cut interest rates further next month, also fell on Monday.

It dropped to a six-and-a-half month low against the yen and fell 0.5% to $1.0710 against the dollar, nearing last week’s six-and-a-half-month low.

BDST: 1303 HRS, Nov 16, 2015
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