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Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose sharply in afternoon trade to set a five-year closing high as traders bet continuing U.S. dollar strength would benefit exporters.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 rose sharply in afternoon trade to set a five-year closing high as traders bet continuing U.S. dollar strength would benefit exporters. The Nikkei closed at 16,194.61, a gain of 225.21 points or 1.41%. The broader Topix rose 0.98% or 15.99 points to close at 1,653.92. Data released in the morning in Tokyo showed November industrial production rose 1.4% from a month earlier, disappointing consensus estimates among economists of a beefier 1.9% gain. Shares listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange are estimated to yield an average 0.95% for fiscal 2005, the lowest level since Sept. 2000.

Asia: Asian stocks at 10-year high

Asia: Asian stocks at 10-year high SEOUL Asian stocks climbed on Monday to their highest levels in almost 10 years, led by Newcrest Mining and BHP Billiton, as prices of commodities like copper, gold and crude oil rose. "There's enough value left in resources stocks to remain optimistic," said Don Hamson of State Street Global Advisors in Sydney. "Commodity prices are locked in over fairly long-term contracts for many of them, so there's an element of safety, too." The Morgan Stanley Capital International Asia-Pacific index gained 0.91 to 129.33 points, posting its highest close since May 1996. A

Asia Roundup: Shares finish mostly lower

Asia Roundup: Shares finish mostly lower Asian stocks closed mostly lower yesterday, extending losses after US wage data undercut the widely held view that the US Federal Reserve had no more reason to hike interest rates again, dealers said. TOKYO: Japanese share prices were down sharply after a soft performance on Wall Street overnight, dealers said. The Tokyo Stock Exchanges benchmark Nikkei-225 index fell 271.68 points or 1.67 per cent to 16,012.41, off a low of 15,944.03. The broader TOPIX index of all first-section stocks dropped 29.36 points or 1.79 per cent to 1,613.46. Volume fell to 1.72 billion shares. More : btimes.com.my

Autos drive European shares down

Autos drive European shares down European shares ended lower on Friday but U.S. data showing strong economic growth and softer inflation helped the market pare losses from car and technology stocks after disappointing earnings. A below-forecast profit rise pounded Volkswagen shares 5.4 percent lower, dragging down the sector, while a lower-than-expected profit and forecasts from tech bellwether Microsoft hit European peers such as SAP. But pharmaceutical stocks shone for a second session as a panel of European experts backed the use of Sanofi-Aventiss anti-obesity pill Acomplia, the French groups biggest new drug hope, while GlaxoSmithKline basked in broker upgrades a day after the

Indian shares fall on mixed Asia; Karachi rises

Indian shares fall on mixed Asia; Karachi rises Indian shares fell nearly 1 percent on Tuesday to end below the 12,000 mark as investors took profits after five sessions of gains and on mixed Asian markets ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve meeting on Wednesday. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged, but investors will look for clues on future rate policy. A slew of U.S. economic data is also expected this week. The key 30-share BSE index ended down 0.84 percent at 11,970.47 points. Losers beat gainers 1,582 to 924 on trade of 230 million shares. Heavyweight Reliance Industries