FTSE feels the fallout of US high-tech hitch

NEWS The Nikkei 225 closed 323.9 down today at 14664.6, a 2.2 per cent slump. The drop in the Nikkei may have also been contributed to by political uncertainty following apparent growing momentum for a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori. Amongst the big losers in blue-chip electrical and high-tech shares were Sony (down 4.3 per cent) and Toshiba (down 1.8 per cent). All eyes will be on the US markets when they open this afternoon. By Nik Hole