1.   Overnight weakness in Europe set the tone to a weak opening of the U.S. market, which later fell further on the housing report.

2.   Overnight weakness set the tone for the session.

3.   Overnight weakness on Wall Street and the recent rise of the yen against the dollar also dampened market sentiment.

4.   Overnight weakness on Wall Street and the recent rise of the yen against the U.S. dollar also dampened market sentiment.

5.   Among losers included high-technology shares, including Sony and Canon, which declined following the overnight weakness in their counterparts in New York.

6.   Asian stock markets all closed lower Wednesday, with share prices pushed down by factors including overnight weakness on Wall Street, China-Taiwan tensions and Thai politics.

7.   European stock markets closed down Tuesday, after overnight weakness on Wall Street.

8.   High-technology shares, including Sony and Canon, declined following the overnight weakness in their counterparts in New York.

9.   In currencies, the dollar initially was lower against the yen, carrying over much of its overnight weakness in New York.

10.   In currencies, the greenback initially slipped against the yen amid continued dollar-selling pressure following its overnight weakness in New York.