Wednesday 8/15 summary:
* Nikkei 225 Stock Average: -369 (-2.2%) to 16,475.61; new year-to-date low breaking March 5th low; lowest close since Dec. 8, 2006
* Nikkei 225 futures Osaka: -440 (-2.6%) to 16,400, Singapore (SGX) 16,405, Chicago (CME) 8/14 — 16,615
* TOPIX: -43.31 (-2.6%) to 1,594.15; Advancers 120 x decliners 1,552 (unch. 54), New highs 1 x new lows 265
* Jasdaq: -1.02 (-1.4%) to 73.52
* TOPIX 1st Section lowest close since Nov. 29, 2006; worst Advance/Decline line since March 14, 2007
The market can’t shake subprime related liquidity crunch; weakness/warning from Wal-Mart spreads worries about health of U.S. retail; yen carry trade unwinding building momentum