21.   Concerns over the ongoing tensions in the Middle East amid escalating violence affected sentiment and companies who have significant oil-related expenses closed weaker, dealers said.

22.   Dealers said sentiment was affected by the sharp fall on Wall Street and renewed concerns over the US economy.

23.   Domestic political confusion after Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi sacked Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka also affected investor sentiment, dealers said.

24.   Domestic political confusion after Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi sacked foreign minister Makiko Tanaka also affected investor sentiment, said dealers.

25.   They said sentiment was also affected by higher-than-expected July producer price data Monday and caution ahead of other key UK data this week.

26.   Traders said sentiment was particularly affected by expectation that the German central bank could cut its repurchase rate at a meeting Thursday.

27.   Market speculation about the status of Russian producer Norilsk Nickel continued, although traders said they were not aware of any fresh news to affect market sentiment.

28.   News of a US antitrust probe into alleged anti-competitive practices by global chip makers continued to negatively affect general sentiment, he said.

29.   Sentiment was affected by the weakness of the dollar and sterling, dealers said.

30.   The dollar continued to rally in early trading on Monday but dealers were cautious while awaiting any development likely to affect sentiment.