Asian stocks fall amid fears UK will vote to leave the European Union
Financial markets are preparing for falls today after Asian stocks experienced the biggest intraday falls in over two months due to building worries that Britain may vote to leave the European Union in the upcoming referendum.
The pound suffered when trading opened. Sterling fell to $1.4159 in early Asian trade, its weakest since April 18.
There have been contrasting polls this weekend on whether or not Britain wants to leave the EU, contributing to the uncertainty.
Read more: Remain campaign can't rely on Labour voters
There has also been a steady stream of economic data over the past few days, underlining the sluggish world economy, despite the work of central banks to turn the tide.
This week the US Federal Reserve, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan and the Swiss National Bank are all due to meet to discuss monetary policy.
They are expected to keep monetary policy constant due to worries about the worldwide impact from a Brexit, should voters in the UK choose to leave the EU.
Read more: We asked 12 experts what markets will do the day before the referendum
This morning, BT bosses will send an email to staff warning that the company is at particular risk if the UK votes to leave. They say employees must make up their own minds, but urge them to vote Remain.