Market Report: Tech Companies Hit

In the market, Asian shares are dragged down by regional chipmakers today, while
North Korea tensions weighed on Seoul trading.

A disappointing outlook from U.S. chipmaker National Semiconductor weighed
on Japanese and Taiwan technology counterparts.

But Japan's Nikkei edged back after closing at an 8-month peak above 10,000 yen
last week.

World No. 3 cigarette maker Japan Tobacco rose after saying it would buy a
British tobacco leaf company for an undisclosed amount.

Shares of China state oil group Sinopec were little changed after a report
it made a near $8 billion bid for London-listed Addax Petroleum.

The Sunday Times reported that Sinopec's bid would trump an offer from the
Korean National Oil Corporation.

North Korean tension weighed on South Korea, after North Korea's announcement that it would start a uranium enrichment program.

But some defense-related stocks gained sharply-- such as South Korea's
Victek, which makes military equipment parts.

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