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April sees Japan trade deficit jump to 879.9bn yen

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:52:11 -0400

TOKYO - Japan's trade deficit rose substantially more than expected in the month April to 879.9 billion yen ($8.6 billion), which is a 70% jump over the trade deficit during the corresponding month a year earlier, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday.. The deficit, for the tenth consecutive month, was wider than what many economists had forecast. A survey from the Nikkei business daily ...

Japans Nikkei index slumps over 7

Thu, 23 May 2013 05:21:07 -0400

Japanese stocks plummeted today after a spike in government bond yields and unexpectedly weak Chinese manufacturing spooked investors sitting on top of months of massive gains in share prices. The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo slumped by 7.3% to close at 14,483.98, its worst drop since the 2011 tsunami. Japan's 10-year government bond yield rose above 1% for the first time in a year, unnerving ...

Japan stocks plummet 7

Thu, 23 May 2013 05:15:56 -0400

Japanese stocks were also hurt by a strengthening in the yen, which makes exports more expensive overseas and erodes repatriated earnings. - ...

Japan stocks plunge on weak China data

Thu, 23 May 2013 05:05:00 -0400

A seven-month rally in Japanese stocks came to an abrupt halt Thursday as the benchmark Nikkei index plunged by 7.3%, with investors rattled by weak economic data from ...

Hang Seng ends 2.5pc lower

Thu, 23 May 2013 05:00:52 -0400

(37 mins ago) Hong Kong shares closed down 2.54 percent Thursday after weak Chinese data and signs the US Federal Reserve could soon start tapering off stimulus measures. The benchmark Hang Seng Index lost 591.4 points to 22,669.68 on turnover of HK$83.64 billion, AFP reports. Chinese shares closed down more than one percent after data showing manufacturing activity contracted in May for the ...

European markets dive following Nikkei slump

Thu, 23 May 2013 05:00:42 -0400

(1 hr 6 mins ago) Europe's main stock markets slumped at the start of trading today, with Frankfurt and Paris down more than 2 percent following a plunge in Tokyo. London's benchmark FTSE 100 index slumped 1.42 percent to 6,743.32 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 crashed 2.11 percent to 8,351.19 points and in Paris the CAC 40 shed 2.24 percent to 3,953.32, AFP reports. Tokyo ended ...

PRECIOUS-Gold rebounds from losses as China data pummels stocks

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:49:56 -0400

* Gold reverses losses but still near two-year low of $1,321.35 * Fed needs to see more from economy before scaling back bond-buying -Bernanke * China PMI shrinks for first time in 7 months (Recasts, updates price) By A. Ananthalakshmi SINGAPORE, May 23 (Reuters) - Gold climbed off session lows on Thursday after weak Chinese factory activity jolted stock markets in Asia, sending ...

European stock markets slide after Nikkei plunges 7 - live

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:04:37 -0400

The Markit Composite PMI, which measures activity across the German economy, came in at 49.9, up from 49.2 in April (where a 50-point reading separates expansion from contraction) German manufacturing output rose slightly, but was balanced out by a small drop in services. And France's private sector kept shrinking, with a composite PMI of 44.3 -- a long way from that 50-point ...

Perfect Storm Sparks Massive Nikkei Sell-Off

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:01:40 -0400

A perfect storm of yen strength, a spike in Japanese government bond yields and new evidence of weakness in China's economy were behind a major sell-off Thursday in Japan's equity markets, said experts. The ...

Tokyo plunges more than 7 as Asian markets fall

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:51:56 -0400

Asian markets fell Thursday with Tokyo plunging more than seven percent as investors took profits after weak Chinese data and signs the US Federal Reserve could start tapering off its massive stimulus measures. Tokyo dropped in the afternoon after HSBC said manufacturing activity in China contracted in May for the first time in seven months, in another sign of the weakness of recovery in the ...

French shares decline tracking Nikkei loss

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:50:10 -0400

(31 mins ago) French share prices fell by 2.24 percent in initial trading on Thursday when confidence was hit by a fall of 7.32 percent on the Tokyo stock market. The Tokyo market had plunged in response to surprisingly weak figures for Chinese industrial activity, although sentiment had already been shaken by uncertainty over US monetary policy, AFP reports. The French CAC 40 index of leading ...

Nikkei dives 7pc on profit taking

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:49:57 -0400

(1 hr 11 mins ago) Tokyo share prices plunged more than seven percent Thursday on record volumes as investors rushed to take profit following weak Chinese data and after months of climbing. The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange closed down 7.32 percent, or 1,143.28 points, to 14,483.98, while the Topix index of all first-section issues was down 6.87 percent, or 87.69 points, at ...

Nikkei falls over 7 | Sensex down over 300 pts | Live Blog

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:40:17 -0400

TOKYO: The Nikkei share average plunged 7.3 per cent on Thursday, its biggest one-day percentage drop in two years after weak Chinese factory data rattled investors, prompting them to take profits from a recent rally buoyed by massive Bank ...

Euro Credit Nikkei caranage heralds volatile session

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:40:01 -0400

European credit markets are opening sharply lower on the back of an extremely volatile overnight session in Asia. As of 0645GMT according to Tradeweb, the iTraxx Main index is 4bp wider at 91.5bp having tightened to another new S19 and 3yr plus generic low of 87bp on the close yesterday. The Crossover index is 17bp wider at 386bp having traded down to the S19 low of 367bp last night, a level that ...

Seoul shares drop 1.2 pct Nikkei China PMI spark investor jitters

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:28:47 -0400

Thu May 23, 2013 3:28am EDT * Chinese PMI, Nikkei tumble spark investor worries * Telcos find favour as investors seek high-dividend issues * Crude oil, chemicals issues lead falls SEOUL, May 23 (Reuters) - South Korean shares dropped 1.2 percent on Thursday after a slide in Japanese stocks and weak Chinese factory data hit investor sentiment, with chemical makers and energy-linked shares leading ...

Japan stocks dive as benchmark bond yield spikes

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:27:37 -0400

BANGKOK (AP) -- Japanese stocks plummeted Thursday after a spike in government bond yields and unexpectedly weak Chinese manufacturing spooked investors sitting atop months of massive gains in share prices. The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo nosedived 7.3 percent to close at ...

Asian markets sell-off on Fed and China

Thu, 23 May 2013 02:41:02 -0400

Thursday, May 23 07:18:29 Hawkish comments by U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and weakness in China's factory activity rattled Asian markets today, sending stock prices down, the U.S. dollar to three-year highs, and Japanese government bond yields to their highest in a year. Stock and bond markets took their cue from the drop in U.S. equities and Treasuries after ...

RPT-GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian markets sell off on Bernanke remarks China PMI

Thu, 23 May 2013 02:26:26 -0400

Thu May 23, 2013 2:26am EDT (Repeats to more subscribers) * JGBs dive, 10-year JGB yield hits highest since April 2012 * Dollar index hits highest level since July 2010 * Asian shares down after China HSBC flash PMI, credit spreads wider By Masayuki Kitano and Hideyuki Sano SINGAPORE, May 23 (Reuters) - Hawkish comments by U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and weakness in China's ...

Nikkei futures trade briefly halted cash Nikkei dives 6 pct

Thu, 23 May 2013 01:48:21 -0400

TOKYO | Thu May 23, 2013 1:48am EDT TOKYO May 23 (Reuters) - The Osaka Securities Exchange on Thursday briefly suspended trade in Nikkei futures due to a steep drop as investors took profits following a recent sharp rally, after weak Chinese factory activity rattled investors. The Nikkei share average slid as much as 6 percent to 14,682.05. The benchmark was last down 5.6 percent at ...

Nikkei slumps 3.7 pct on weak China data 10-yr JGB prices turn higher

Thu, 23 May 2013 01:40:33 -0400

Reset TOKYO (May 23): Japan's Nikkei stock average tumbled 3.7 percent on Thursday, in a dramatic turnaround from a 5-1/2-year high hit in morning trade and was on track for its biggest daily drop in two years, as weak Chinese factory activity data rattled investors. The sharp turnover in the Japanese stock market prompted investors to seek safety in government bonds, with the 10-year ...

Asian stocks markets fall after survey shows worse-than-expected slip in Chinas manufacturing

Thu, 23 May 2013 01:34:34 -0400

BANGKOK - Asian stock markets fell Thursday, weighed down by a contraction in China's manufacturing that adds to signs a shaky recovery in the world's No. 2 economy is slowing. HSBC Corp. said its preliminary Purchasing Managers Index fell to a seven-month low of 49.6 in May from April's 50.4. Numbers below 50 indicate that activity is contracting. Analysts had expected a slight ...

Asian Markets Trade Lower On Economic Worries

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:44:02 -0400

economy following a weak manufacturing report from China. The overnight weak close on Wall Street amid doubts about further monetary stimulus from the U.S. Federal Reserve is also contributing to the weakness in the Asian region.The Australian stock market is trading sharply lower with investors pressing sales at several counters. Financial, consumer staples, industrial, mining and property ...

Nikkei slumps in afternoon trade

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:24:52 -0400

(8 mins ago) Tokyo shares plunged more than three percent in early Thursday afternoon trade as investors sold positions on weak Chinese data to lock in profits on recent rapid gains. The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange lost 3.20 percent or 500.04 points to 15,127.22 at one point before narrowing its loss to 2.15 percent by 0400 GMT, AFP reports. The plunge came after HSBC said ...

Hang Seng slides by break

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:24:45 -0400

(8 mins ago) Hong Kong stocks were down 1.64 percent by the break on Thursday after Wall street fell on signs the US Federal Reserve could soon start tapering off its massive stimulus measures. The benchmark Hang Seng Index fell 381.34 points to 22,879.74 on turnover of HK$37.42 billion, AFP ...

Indian Shares To Follow Asian Markets Lower

Wed, 22 May 2013 23:15:46 -0400

markets lower on Thursday after Federal Reserve chief Ben indicated the central bank could slow down its pace of asset purchases going forward. Trading for the rest of the day would largely depend on the movement of the rupee, which fell for a fourth day to hit a fresh six-month low of 55.46 against the dollar yesterday. Benchmark indexes Sensex and the Nifty fell about 0.3 percent each on ...

Hong Kong shares extend losses after China flash PMI falls

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:21:59 -0400

HONG KONG | Wed May 22, 2013 10:21pm EDT HONG KONG May 23 (Reuters) - Hong Kong shares sank deeper into the red on Thursday and looked set for a third-straight loss after a preliminary private survey of May manufacturing activity in China came in at a seven-month low. Financial, materials and energy counters led the slide after China's HSBC flash purchasing managers' index (PMI) ...

US dollar rises on Bernankes comments

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:16:40 -0400

The US dollar rallied against major currencies Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave hints that the central bank may wind down its bond- purchasing pace at its next few meetings.The dollar temporarily retreated against its major counterparts as Bernanke said in testimony to Congress that the Fed's bond- buying program would remain in place for now. But it later pared ...

Wall Street sinks as Fed may taper earlier

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:16:38 -0400

US stocks reversed early gains into negative territory on Wednesday after Federal Reserve minutes from its most recent policymaking meeting showed the central bank may scale back its massive bond purchases in advance.The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 80.41 points, or 0.52 percent, to 15,307.17 points. The broader S&P 500 tumbled 13.81 points, or 0.83 percent, to 1,655.35 points. ...

Oil prices fall on ample supplies

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:16:35 -0400

Oil prices dropped on Wednesday as US crude stockpiles declined less than expected.The US crude supplies slipped 338,000 barrels to 394.6 million in last week, according to the Energy Information Agency, less than half as much as projected. Gasoline inventories increased 3.02 million barrels to 220.7 million, which were forecast to fall 300,000 barrels.Oil prices decline accelerated as the US ...

Gold falls on Bernankes mixed remarks

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:16:34 -0400

Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange fell Wednesday as the US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke made mixed remarks before the Congress.The most active gold contract for June delivery fell 10.2 dollars, or 0.74 percent, to settle at 1,367.4 dollars per ounce.The US Fed Chairman Bernanke Wednesday said in his testimony to the Joint Economic Committee of the ...

Hang Seng Shanghai open lower

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:03:33 -0400

(14 mins ago) Stocks in Hong Kong opened 0.81 percent lower, reflecting falls on Wall Street after the US Federal Reserve hinted it could soon start to ease its policy of aggressive stimulus measures. The benchmark Hang Seng Index fell 189.05 points to 23,072.03 in the first minutes of trade. Stocks in Shanghai were down 0.44 percent in early trade ahead of the release of HSBC's ...

Positive start for Nikkei

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:02:58 -0400

(1 hr 7 mins ago) Stocks in Tokyo opened 0.72 percent higher after the yen fell against the US dollar on signals that the US Federal Reserve could soon scale back its aggressive stimulus measures. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index, which closed at its best level in more than five years yesterday, added 112.72 points to 15,739.98 at the ...

Asia Markets Tokyo stocks soar as Sydney Seoul retreat

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:57:49 -0400

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Australian and South Korean stocks dropped Thursday on worries the Federal Reserve could downscale its bond purchases, while Japanese shares marched to fresh multiyear highs as several exporters got a lift from the weakened ...

PRECIOUS-Gold slips after Bernanke hints at slowing bond purchases

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:50:39 -0400

SINGAPORE, May 23 (Reuters) - Gold fell for a third straight session on Thursday after U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke hinted at reducing an $85 billion bond-buying programme that has increased the metal's appeal as a hedge against inflation. FUNDAMENTALS * Spot gold dropped 0.3 percent to $1,363.96 an ounce by 0018 GMT, holding near a two-year low of $1,321.35 reached in ...

Nikkei climbs 1.9 pct to new 5-12-year high Fast Retailing stars

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:34:24 -0400

* Bernanke remarks sees yen at 103 to dollar, aids exporters * Nikkei heads for fifth straight day of gain * Fast Retailing jumps as retail investors in hot pursuit By Dominic Lau TOKYO, May 23 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average soared 1.9 percent to a 5-1/2-year high on Thursday, aided by exporters as the yen weakened against the dollar after the U.S. Federal Reserve chief suggested the ...

Hong Kong shares to open down 0.8 pct Chinese financials slide

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:25:10 -0400

HONG KONG | Wed May 22, 2013 9:25pm EDT HONG KONG May 23 (Reuters) - Hong Kong shares were poised for a weaker start on Thursday, with Chinese financials weak ahead of the HSBC China flash purchasing managers' index for May that could offer fresh clues on the world's second-largest economy. The Hang Seng Index was set to open down 0.8 percent at 23,066.7. The China Enterprises ...

Japan stocks rise on weaker yen banks drop

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:49:33 -0400

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks on Thursday sidestepped concerns that the U.S. Federal Reserve may downscale its monetary stimulus to rise further toward multiyear highs, with a weakened yen giving several exporters a lift and offsetting losses in banks. The Nikkei Stock ...

Bernanke comments hit US stocks Australian dollar

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:52:40 -0400

United States Wall Street saw its biggest one day swing in six months and the Australian dollar dropped overnight as investors raised concerns that the US Federal Reserve will scale back its stimulus program shortly.Markets initially rose as Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernankeaddressed Congress saying the quantitative easing program is providing significant benefits to the American economy ...

Nikkei set to pull back from 5-12-year highs on Bernanke remarks

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:17:40 -0400

TOKYO, May 23 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average is expected to retreat from a 5-1/2-year high on Thursday after U.S. Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke suggested the central bank could scale back stimulus in coming months. The Nikkei is likely to trade between 15,550 and 15,700, strategists said, while Nikkei futures in Chicago closed at 15,640 on Wednesday, down 0.2 percent from the Osaka ...

PRECIOUS-Gold slides as Fed chief hints at reduced bond buying

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:02:10 -0400

* Spot gold slides after brief break over $1,400/oz * Sustained job gains could reduce Fed bond buying -Bernanke * U.S. dollar rallies vs basket of currencies after remarks (Rewrites throughout, updates prices, changes byline, dateline (prev London) By Carole Vaporean NEW YORK, May 22 (Reuters) - Gold turned sharply lower on Wednesday, as investors weighed U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman ...

REFILE-Panasonic to stop making silicon wafers at Oregon factory-Nikkei

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:50:16 -0400

Wed May 22, 2013 2:50pm EDT May 23 (Reuters) - Panasonic Corp will stop making silicon wafers, used in solar cells, at a factory in Oregon next month as it centralizes production at a plant in Malaysia, the Nikkei reported. Having shut down a plant in California last year, the company will have no processing facilities in the United States, the newspaper said. Panasonic makes silicon ingots at ...

Asian Markets Rally after Fed Reassurance on Bond-Buying

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:53:14 -0400

Asian markets rose in early trade, supported by a strong rally in Wall Street after comments from senior US Federal Reserve officials hinted that the Fed may not slow down its asset buying ...

Markets end winning streak

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:26:13 -0400

Stock markets in Shanghai and Shenzhen concluded a rollercoaster session on opposite sides of the fence Wednesday as indecision and sell-off pressures set in following recent rallies.The key Shanghai Composite Index retreated 0.12 percent, or 2.71 points, to close at 2,302.40; while the Shenzhen Component Index finished trading at 9,405.06 after adding 0.02 percent, or 1.52 points. Total turnover ...

Top banks on track to lend 900b yuan in May

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:26:13 -0400

China's four major banks issued new loans of 233 billion yuan ($37.98 billion) by May 21, 21st Century Business Herald reported Wednesday, citing industry sources, adding that total loans for the month could reach 900 billion yuan.Total loans issued by China's top four banks, including Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China and China ...

Australian dollar in focus

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:48:30 -0400

Analysis: The SP500 has continued going up, and our entry level at 1650 has been reached. In our view, the stock market won't be able to ignore for long the dynamics that are affecting the dollar: a stronger dollar will negatively impact over sea revenues for US multinational companies, many of whom are part of the SP500. There are good chances that a correction will occur before our ...

Premarket Bernanke in spotlight Nikkei hits fresh 5 12-year high

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:06:44 -0400

Stock markets aren't straying too far from unchanged this morning, as traders await an important appearance from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke later today. U.S. stock futures are just slightly in positive territory, though European markets are a little in the red. In Asia overnight, Japanese equities were again outperforming most other markets, with the Nikkei rising 1.6 per cent to ...

PRECIOUS-Gold up on weaker dollar stimulus hopes before Fed testimony

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:29:25 -0400

LONDON, May 22 (Reuters) - Gold rose on Wednesday as the dollar fell after Federal Reserve officials allayed investor concerns that the U.S. central bank would soon reduce its bond-buying programme, while Chinese physical demand also lent some support to ...

Asian Stocks Rise On Fed Speculation

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:47:42 -0400

Asian stocks rose broadly on Wednesday, encouraged by a positive lead from Wall Street, after comments from two Federal Reserve officials suggested the Federal Reserve is unlikely to taper its $85 billion-per-month bond-buying program anytime soon. Investors look forward to a speech from the Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and the release of FOMC May minutes due out later in the day for clues on the ...

PRECIOUS-Gold gains on U.S. stimulus hopes Bernanke eyed

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:06:59 -0400

* Gold still trading near 2-year lows * Fed officials calm fears over end to bond buying * Coming Up: Fed Chairman Bernanke speaks at 1400 GMT (Adds quotes, updates prices) By A. Ananthalakshmi SINGAPORE, May 22 (Reuters) - Gold rose on Wednesday on strong Chinese demand and after Federal Reserve officials allayed investor concerns that the U.S. central bank will soon exit its ...

Asian stock markets rise after Fed official says US should maintain easy monetary policy

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:14:46 -0400

BANGKOK - Asian stock markets were mostly higher Wednesday after investor confidence was boosted by a Federal Reserve official's comments that the U.S. central bank should stick with its super-easy monetary policy. Regional Fed chief James Bullard said in a speech Tuesday that the Fed should continue its monthly $85 billion in bond purchases, which drives down interest rates and thus ...

Nikkei closes on a high

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:12:58 -0400

(37 mins ago) Stocks in Tokyo climbed 1.60 percent to close at their highest level in more than five years with investor appetite unabated on a weak yen and record-setting levels on Wall Street. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index gained 246.24 points to 15,627.26, the best finish since late December 2007, while the Topix index of all first-section issues was up 0.44 percent, or 5.64 points, at ...

Asian stocks buoyed by Wall Street

Wed, 22 May 2013 02:21:38 -0400

Sydney - Asian stocks rose on Wednesday following a positive lead from Wall Street with Japan's Nikkei reaching a five-and-a-half-year high, while the yen took a defensive stance ahead of the outcome of the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) policy ...

GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian stocks supported by Fed reassurance BOJ stands pat

Wed, 22 May 2013 02:20:55 -0400

Wed May 22, 2013 2:20am EDT * Some Asian stock markets buoyed by record highs on Wall St * Fed officials play down speculation of ending stimulus anytime soon * BOJ keeps policy unchanged as expected * JGB futures dip after BOJ, Nikkei stays firm By Masayuki Kitano and Vidya Ranganathan SINGAPORE, May 22 (Reuters) - Some Asian stock markets rose on Wednesday following a positive lead from Wall ...

Hang Seng positive after delayed start

Wed, 22 May 2013 02:06:07 -0400

(29 mins ago) Stocks in Hong Kong opened up 0.18 percent after the start of trading was delayed by a severe rainstorm warning, and following a strong lead from the US and Europe. The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 41.03 points to 23,407.4 in the first minutes of trade, with the market awaiting testimony to Congress from US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke later in the ...

COLUMN-China India may seek better quality coal Clyde Russell

Wed, 22 May 2013 01:57:55 -0400

Wed May 22, 2013 1:57am EDT --Clyde Russell is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own.-- By Clyde Russell LAUNCESTON, Australia, May 22 (Reuters) - Asian giants China and India may be planning to improve the quality of coal they are burning, but it's unlikely any changes will have much effect on the level of imports for the foreseeable future. China's National Energy ...

Asian Markets Trade Higher

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:58:57 -0400

technology , financial and industrial stocks are finding modest support, while property trusts stocks are trading weak.The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index, which advanced to 5,203.4 in early trades, is currently down 12.6 points or 0.2 percent at 5,167.5. The broader All Ordinaries index is down 12.4 points or 0.2 percent at 5,143.8, well off the day's high of 5,178.9.In the mining space, ...

Nikkei up on BOJ optimism

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:57:57 -0400

(21 mins ago) Tokyo stocks maintained early gains and were up 1.12 percent in early afternoon trade after the Bank of Japan made its widely-expected announcement of no new easing measures. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index was up 171.79 points at 15,552.81 soon after the afternoon session started while the Topix index of all first-section issues was up 0.72 percent, or 9.12 points, at 1,279.51, ...

Asia Markets Japan stocks hold gains after central-bank meet

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:53:18 -0400

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks stayed on course for a fresh multiyear high Wednesday after the country's central bank raised its economic outlook, even as it left other elements of its monetary policy ...

China shares headed for 6th straight daily gain rain storm delays HK open

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:21:30 -0400

Wed May 22, 2013 12:21am EDT * CSI300 +0.2 pct, Hong Kong to open from 0500 GMT * Rainstorm forces cancellation of morning HK trade * China autos strong, May sales reportedly strong By Clement Tan HONG KONG, May 22 (Reuters) - China shares were headed for a sixth-straight daily gain on Wednesday, with most automakers strong after the official China Securities Journal cited an industrial ...

UPDATE 1-HK markets to re-open in afternoon rainstorm warning lifted

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:34:24 -0400

HONG KONG May 22 (Reuters) - Hong Kong securities and derivatives markets will resume trading at 1 p.m. local time (0500 GMT) on Wednesday after authorities lifted a severe rainstorm warning, the exchange said in a ...