Nikkei: 9,478.53 (–57.60) Hang Seng: 23,068.19 (–90.48) Shanghai Comp: 2,984.13 (–57.60)ASIAN SHARES were under pressure yesterday, amid fresh nuclear concerns in Japan as high levels of radiation hampered efforts to cool crippled reactors in Fukushima.
Shares of Tokyo Electric Power, the operator of the stricken nuclear plants, tumbled 17.7 per cent to ¥696.
Japan Tobacco slipped 0.6 per cent to ¥312,000 after announcing it would stop shipments from tomorrow until April 10th because of problems getting raw materials.
Some car makers gained ground after resuming production last week. Toyota advanced 0.6 per cent to ¥3,295, while Nissan jumped 3.5 per cent to ¥705.
In Sydney, uranium producers fell on fears about Japan’s nuclear troubles. Paladin shed 2.6 per cent A$3.75 and Energy Resources lost 2.9 per cent to A$8.31.
Aquarius Platinum fell 6.9 per cent after a directive in Zimbabwe foreign miners. Sigma Pharmaceuticals rose 10.8 per cent.
Trade was choppy in Seoul, as shipbuilders were hit by profit-taking, sending Doosan Heavy Industries down 3.9 per cent to Won62,100 and Hyundai Heavy Industries 1.1 per cent lower to Won487,500. – (Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2011)
