Europe, Asia stocks fall as U.S. markets close for Hurricane Sandy Markets in the U.S. were closed as a mammoth storm headed up the coast of the Eastern U.S. But Hurricane Sandy's wrath was felt on European markets where insurers such as Munich Re, Hannover Re and Zurich Insurance underperformed other stocks. And in general indexes were down across the continent Monday. The FTSE 100 index of leading British shares dropped 0.2% to close at 5,795.10, Germany's DAX fell 0.4% to 7,203.16 and the CAC-40 in France ended 0.8% lower at 3,408.89. The uncertainty generated by Hurricane Sandy came at the start of a big week in the United States. It's the last full week before next Tuesday's presidential election, and will culminate Friday - storm willing - with the release of monthly jobs data, which many analysts think could have an effect on the vote. "A significant swing in either direction is likely to be heavily reported in the media, potentially swinging the undecided voter," said James Hughes, chief market analyst at Alpari, of the jobs figures. Despite the storm clouds over the U.S., the dollar remained firm, partly because it often garners support at times of investor unease. The euro was 0.4% lower at $1.2892, for example. Earlier, Asian markets shed early gains and closed mostly lower. Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell marginally to 8,929.34 a day before the Bank of Japan's monetary policy committee was to meet to grapple yet again with the country's long-standing economic doldrums. South Korea's Kospi ended barely changed at 1,891.52, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 0.2% to 21,511.05. Oil prices were on the retreat alongside equities, with the benchmark oil contract for December delivery down $1.24 to $85.04 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.