Japan

European markets climbed this morning on news IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn had resigned following sex crime allegations.

The yen has plunged against a basket of currencies after the Bank of Japan said the economy is in a perilous state.

Nick Mustoe, chief investment officer at Invesco Perpetual, says attention has now shifted from global tensions to optimism about the US economic recovery.

Market and economy seen as more distinct following the recent disaster

ON ASSET ALLOCATION

CURRENCIES

ON S&P'S DOWNGRADE OF JAPAN

The insurance industry will play a pivotal role in helping Japan get back on its feet. Richard Dunbar, investment director - UK equities at SWIP, analyses the current state of the sector and what this disaster will mean for its future.

If bond markets are the only indices you look at to judge world events, you could be forgiven for thinking the past month or so has been fairly uneventful.

ON SPECIALIST MARKETS