Japan

Henderson's Michael Wood-Martin discusses the impact of the Japanese earthquake on equity markets and explains how recent spikes in trading volumes provide some good news from a market perspective.

Chris Taylor, manager of the Neptune Japan Opportunities fund, has warned Japan may face downgrades to its credit rating and see its currency weaken after last week's earthquake.

Rathbones' David Coombs is adding Japanese stocks to his portfolio in the view its economy will rebound quickly from the aftermath of last week's devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Updated: Global stock markets fell sharply on Tuesday as investor panic spreads following a third explosion at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant.

V-SHAPED RECOVERY FOR JAPAN?

Updated 9:45am: The FTSE suffered triple-digit losses in Tuesday trade after a third explosion rocked Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant, raising fresh radiation fears and sparking a 1,000-point plunge on the country's Nikkei index.

Japan's Topix index posted its worst two-day results since the crash of 1987, as shares continued to sink.

Global insurance company share prices tumbled last night as concerns mounted about the cost of rebuilding Japan following Friday's earthquake and the resulting tsunami.

The sell-off in Japanese markets following last week's devastating earthquake represents a buying opportunity, says veteran investor Jim Rogers.

The rapid rise in the price of crude is reviving fears of a double-dip recession, Chris Iggo at AXA Investment Managers says.