ReleaseWire

Japan Hikes up Nuclear Crisis to Chernobyl Levels - Nikkei 225 Falls – City Index Market Update

Posted: Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 4:00 AM CDT

London, England -- (SBWire) -- 04/21/2011 -- City Index (http://www.cityindex.co.uk/) takes a look at the activity shaping the spread betting markets on 12th April 2011.

Japan has increased its nuclear crisis rating to the same level as that of Chernobyl, moving it to the most serious benchmark on the international scale.

It follows radiation leaks at the Tokyo Electric Power Company's (Tepco) Fukushima nuclear plant, which was damaged by the tsunami that resulted from the March 11th 8.9 magnitude earthquake.

The Nikkei 225 declined today (April 12th) by 1.69 per cent to end on 9,555.26 points, while the Nikkei 300 and 500 also retreated.

Evaluating the situation, Reuters noted that investors sold off electronics and car manufacturers, while profit-taking of shares related to energy was experienced in light of falling oil prices.

The share price of Tepco has also traded down, ending ten per cent lower as it continues to battle the aftermath of its plant being damaged.

According to the news resource, 253 million Tepco shares switched hands, which represents more than a tenth of trade on the first section of the bourse.

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