Sector movers: Scottish referendum uncertainty hits electricity stocks, insurers

Sectors with the most exposure to Scotland were bearing the brunt of the selling pressure on Monday after an opinion poll revealed that the 'yes' campaign on independence had taken the lead.The electricity sector was the hardest hit with Perth-based energy supplier SSE down 2.7%, life insurers were dragged lower by a 4% drop in the share price of Edinburgh-headquartered Standard Life, while oil services stocks were down after a 2.1% fall at Wood Group, whose main office is in Aberdeen.The Sunday Times said that a YouGov survey found that 51% were in the 'yes' camp ahead of the 18 September vote - a sharp turnaround from recent polls.The pound hit a 10-month low against the dollar on Monday, with the UK currency now 6% off a six-year high reached in July.Gaël Gunubu from Deutsche Bank said this was a "small but hugely significant lead" for campaigners of Scottish independence."A series of polls have eradicated the substantial lead of the 'no' campaign and laid bare a basic failure to prepare for the economic and constitutional consequences of an independent Scotland. There is now no question that the momentum is now all with 'yes'," Gunubu said.Last month, Standard Life highlighted "material issues" and "uncertainty" for its customers and stakeholders arising from the upcoming referendum.The insurer said that ahead of the vote it was most concerned about the future currency of Scotland, the shape and role of the monetary system, regulation and the approach to taxation around savings and pensions. Top performing sectors so far todayForestry & Paper 11,320.70 +0.57%Personal Goods 23,982.81 +0.28%Bottom performing sectors so far todayElectricity 9,387.17 -2.31%Life Insurance 7,360.28 -1.97%Oil Equipment, Services & Distribution 22,531.23 -1.94%Electronic & Electrical Equipment 3,699.21 -1.80%Industrial Metals & Mining 1,348.18 -1.73%