Nikkei falls to lowest level since March 2009

TOKYO. November 21. KAZINFORM Japan's key Nikkei stock index fell to its lowest closing level since March 2009 on Monday, on lingering global economic concerns as well as unexpected fall in Japanese exports in October; Kazinform refers to Xinhua.

The benchmark 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 26.64 points, or 0.32 percent, from Friday at 8,348.27, its lowest close since March 31, 2009, when it finished at 8,109.53.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished down 2.90 points, or 0.40 percent, at 717.08, the lowest point in 2011.

Decliners were led by the sea transport, iron and stell sectors, while foods and retail sector were among the gaining sectors.

Trade volume on the TSE first section was 1.23 billion shares, with a turnover of 755.7 billion yen (9.81 billion U.S. dollars).