5:00AM New York, 7:00PM Tokyo – Stocks in Japan fell after the U.S. recession fears intensified on a latest read on the service sector showed a decline in activities.

Stock indexes in Japan declined sharply after the sell-off in the U.S. markets and a weakness in European trading.

In Tokyo trading Nikkei 225 fell 4.7% or 646.26 to 13,099.24, and the broader Topix Index slipped 4.2% or 57.07 to 1,298.41.

Market Sentiment

In the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange 11.2 billion shares worth 1.2 trillion yen were traded and in the second section 319 million shares valued at 3.8 billion yen changed hands.

Of the Nikkei 225 stocks 7 rose, 217 declined, and 1 was unchanged. Clarion Co. Limited led gainers with a rise of 6.19%.

The U.S. Institute for Supply Management reported yesterday in its January 2008 Non-Manufacturing Report on Business that business activity in the non-manufacturing sector contracted in January for the first time in 58 months.

According to the index, the New Orders Index at 43.5% fell to the lowest since October 2001 and Employment Index declined the most since February 2002 at 43.9%.

The Employment Index fell to 70.7% indicating a decline in price increases in January.

Of the companies surveyed, only three reported growth while 14 recorded contraction.

“Members'' comments in January indicate that weakness in the economy coupled with increased costs have negatively affected their business. Members have also indicated that they are experiencing inflationary pressures,” as highlighted in the report.

Subprime Losses and Bond Insurers

Fitch Ratings announced on its web site that it had placed MBIA Inc. “AAA” rating on negative watch. The U.S. bond insurer provides insurance to municipal, state, and other regional government debt offering s for a fee. In the last five years the company had branched out to mortgage securities. However, a large number of mortgage bonds have lost value prompting heavy expenses at the insurer. The bond insurer has raised nearly $1 billion in new capital to bolster its balance sheet but investors worry that future subprime losses may leave the insurer with less capital and then adequate to pay for the insurance coverage.



Merger News Update

The Yomiuri online edition reported today that plans between Japan Tobacco and Nissin Foods Limited to merge their frozen foods units had collapsed amid accusations that Japan Tobacco had sold poisoned China made dumplings.

Under the deal, Japan Tobacco wanted to sell 49% equity in its frozen food unit Katokichi Co.

The yen declined from 106.38 to 106.43 against the dollar.

Gainers and Losers