Just when stock markets had ended counting the losses stemming from the Japan quake,major new aftershocks will ensure much addition to the total. Asian stocks are set for a shaky start on Friday,as a strong aftershock in Japan rattled nerves on global markets. No major damage has been reported after the magnitude 7.4 quake,although the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was briefly evacuated due to tsunami fears. The main Wall Street indices dipped as much as 0.2 percent,but better-than-expected March chain store sales ensured the losses were limited. The CBOE Volatility Index VIX,Wall Street's so-called fear gauge,closed up 1.2 percent,after rising more than 2 percent earlier. Asian stocks listed on Wall Street fell 0.17 percent. British shares fell 0.6 percent while European shares slid 0.2 percent,as investors took profits in the wake of the quake. The euro slipped after the European Central Bank lifted rates as expected,but dampened expectations of an aggressive tightening cycle. Japanese markets are set to open lower,as the yen strengthened across the board,however a sharp slump is not expected. Nikkei futures traded in Chicago 65 points below the last closing level in Osaka. Australian stocks may defy the gloom with the help of stronger metal prices ,with share price index futures down 5 points to 4,933,a 24.9 point premium to the close of the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index. HEADLINES: > U.S. Congress races clock for budget deal > Aftershock shakes Japan's ruined northeast coast > Global stocks slip after new Japan earthquake > Breakingviews-China worries,so should investors > Spain vows won't be next after Portugal seeks aid > ECB hikes rates,ready to move again if necessary > RBC eyes sale of U.S. consumer bank unit -source > Reuters Summit-Banker compensation seen rising > U.S. jobless claims fall,retail sales stronger > Facebook now wants a say in computer hardware
