Nasdaq index will help boost small cap market

The rally in small cap Japanese companies stands to be further strengthened by the establishment of Nasdaq Japan as well as the development of other small cap indices. Japan's Softbank Corp and the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) announced in June they would form a joint venture to establish a computerised securities market in Japan. Softbank and NASD plan to launch Nasdaq-Japan, which should start operations by the end of 2000. The joint venture, which will be capitalised at ¥600m ($5m) will trade both Japanese and international securities, ultimately including Nasdaq's...