Scotland's Upcoming Referendum on Leaving the United Kingdom Unsettles the Markets

Germany was buoyed by record trade surplus today, but the DAX then slipped as other European bourses took fright at Scottish referendum uncertainty. Those in favor of independence are narrowing the gap with the pro-Union party which was previously seen to be in the lead. Among big fallers in London are Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Life, the insurer. The worry that Scotland might choose to leave the U.K. on September 18 hits Scotland-based financial services stocks, which might need to move their headquarters to London. Prince William’s wife Kate announces she is pregnant again. Could a new royal baby make Scottish voters cherish the United Kingdom more? Associated British Foods wasn’t flavor of the morning. It was the worst FTSE100 performer, despite a positive announcement.