TOKYO, Feb 22 — Japan’s Nikkei share average fell today on across-the-board selling after US shares dropped overnight on speculation about faster interest rate hikes, while Ricoh stumbled after a media report said it was considering an impairment charge.
The Nikkei declined 1.1 per cent to 21,736.44.
Ricoh Co declined 3.9 per cent, following the report which said it was considering taking a charge of up to ¥100 billion (RM3.6 million) this fiscal year.
Ricoh said in a statement it was unclear if it would book an impairment loss or what the amount would be pending the test results. The company said it was conducting “impairment tests”.
Shippers underperformed, with Kawasaki Kisen falling 2.0 per cent and Nippon Yusen dropping 1.0 per cent.
Yesterday, the European Commission handed out €546 million (RM2.6 billion) in fines to car shipping groups and car parts suppliers , including the two shippers, for anti-competitive behaviour.
The broader Topix declined 0.9 per cent, with all of its 33 subsectors in negative territory. — Reuters
