Share prices fell sharply on Wall Street as the financial markets re-opened for the first time since last week's terrorist attacks.
Shortly after trading started in New York, it was clear that European insurance stocks were continuing their erratic behaviour of the last few days, irrespective of Wall Street'a influence and a move by the Federal Bank to cut interest rates just an hour before trading started.
In the US, shares in AIG were up by 1.52% but in the UK Royal & SunAlliance saw its shares go down minus 1.56%. CGNU's share price was up 2.37%.
Munich Re saw its shares regain lost ground. The price was up 3.66% earlier.
Wall Street reopened after an emotional ceremony and a two-minute silence.
The Federal Reserve, the US central bank, cut US interest rates one hour before the trading reopened on Wall Street.
The cut by half a percentage point - from 3.5% to 3% - came sooner and was larger than expected. It appeared calculated to help stave off a major fall in share prices.
