We're turning to market numbers now, and Japan's earthquake has hit global markets. The earthquake struck just before the close of Tokyo stock trading, sending the benchmark Nikkei index tumbling 1.7 per cent to a five-week low. Other Asian stock markets reacted badly with Hong Kong's Hang Seng and South Korea's KOSPI both sliding. In London, the FTSE dropped at the open on Friday. The index was down 0.3 per cent or 15 points. And Wall Street's trade was also down - the Dow Jones lost 20 points, or 0.17 per cent before sliding further; the S&P500, NASDAQ composite also ticked down slightly. And the Australian market posted its biggest weekly loss in nine months. The All Ordinaries and the ASX200 both shed 1.2 per cent. The Australian dollar is managing to stay above 100 US cents.