The markets showed no mercy to investors as weak global economic cues continue to dominate, with Japan being the latest casualty as it released its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures earlier this morning. The reading showed that the economy slowed, growing only 0.4% YOY as against an expected 2.3% YOY growth and slowing down any hopes for a recovery to happen anytime soon. Asian markets tumbled with the Nikkei Index moving down 56.79 points, continuing its downward trend from the last week where a drop of 20% was seen and confirming its status as a bear market. Japan lost its status as the number two economy being displaced by China with the table being topped by the US. The Shanghai Composite Index gained 55 points as China continues to improve, with exports seeing a 38.1% rise while imports slumped 22.7%. Retail sales, industrial production and consumer prices remaining mostly in line with expectations.