Tokyo’s Tumble: No Ripple Effect

World stock markets were hit briefly last week when Tokyo’s Nikkei index fell below 20,000, but most markets ended the week higher or with small losses. Hong Kong and Singapore suffered, but traders said red-hot Hong Kong was overdue for a rest.

March 13 March 20 Pct. Country/index close close change U.S./S&P; 500 405.84 411.30 +1.3% Germany/DAX 30 1,732.64 1,736.30 +0.2% Australia/All Ordinaries 1,588.40 1,584.10 -0.3% Britain/FTSE 100 2,476.00 2,456.60 -0.8% Hong Kong/Hang Seng 5,071.19 5,015.81 -1.1% Tokyo/Nikkei 20,456.06 20,185.09 -1.3% Singapore/Straits Times 1,466.08 1,435.81 -2.1%