2012/01/04 12:00 - Asian Activities Report for January 4, 2012 includes: LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (NYSE:LDK) has agreed to acquire approximately 33% increased share capital in Sunways AG (ETR:SWW) and has also offered to takeover all outstanding shares in Sunways; Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (TYO:8031) says that its joint venture company Galaxy NewSpring Pte. Ltd. will operate two new water treatment plants in China; Nomura Holdings, Inc. (TYO:8604) has reached an agreement to invest in Jiu You Quan Xing Equity Investment Fund, a private equity fund based in Shanghai; Diploma Group Limited (ASX:DGX) has achieved Practical Completion on its Eleven 78 development on Hay Street in West Perth; AEON CO., LTD. (TYO:8267) announced that its subsidiary, Petcity Co., Ltd. will be merging with AHB International Inc..
2011/12/09 13:00 - Asian Activities Report for December 9, 2011 includes: Shanghai Electric Group (SHA:601727) (HKG:2727) has signed agreements with Siemens (NYSE:SI) to jointly invest over 165 million euros in two joint venture companies in China for the development, manufacturing and sales of wind power equipments; Beijing Enterprises Holdings Limited (HKG:0392) says that its subsidiary Green Industry (Qinghai) has signed a contracting agreement for a 20 megawatt photovoltaic grid-tied power generation project in Qinghai Province in China; Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. (TYO:8306) will form a strategic business and capital alliance with AMP Limited (ASX:AMP); Honda Motor (TYO:7267) says that two of its auto plants in Ohio have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2011 Energy Star award.
2011/12/06 12:00 - Asian Activities Report for December 6, 2011 includes: DunAn (SHE:002011) has recently won the Greatest Growth Potential Award at the 2011 Reputation List of China Listed Companies event in China; Honghua Group Limited (HKG:0196) will form a joint venture company with Gansu Huateng Petroleum Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd.; Seven Bank, Ltd. (JSD:8410) has received approval to list its shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Monday, December 26, 2011.
2011/12/02 16:08 - Agricultural Bank of China Limited (SHA:601288) (HKG:1288) is planning to establish branches in London, UK and Seoul, Korea, where the Bank currently has representative offices.
2011/11/29 12:30 - Asian Activities Report for November 29, 2011 includes: The Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. (SHA:601328) (HKG:3328), a leading commercial bank in China, has officially opened its first branch in Sydney, Australia; Trend Micro, Inc. (TYO:4704) and the International Cyber Security Protection Alliance ("ICSPA") will establish a "global cyber nation" in Washington D.C. today to coordinate the international fight against cybercrime; Arc Exploration Limited (ASX:ARX) has commenced exploration field work at its Bima Project in Indonesia; WCP Resources Limited (ASX:WCP) has received encouraging rock chip assays at the its 100%-owned Yalgoo gold project.
2011/09/21 12:15 - Asian Activities Report for September 21, 2011 includes: Impact Minerals Limited (ASX:IPT) has commenced a major drilling programme at its Botswana Uranium Project; Cokal Limited (ASX:CKA) has purchased an additional 10% of both the Bumi Barito Mineral and Borneo Bara Prima metallurgical coal projects in Indonesia; Manas Resources Limited (ASX:MSR) reported final results from drilling at its 100%-owned Shambesai Gold Project in the Kyrgyz Republic; Tiger Resources Limited (ASX:TGS) provided a production update for August 2011 from its high-grade Kipoi Copper Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Tata Consultancy Services Limited (BOM:532540) has signed a five-year multi-million contract with Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB).
2011/03/22 12:01 - Seven Bank Limited (JSD:8410) (PINK:SEBNF) will launch an international money transfer service on March 22, 2011. The service allows customers to easily and conveniently send money from Seven Bank accounts for an affordable transfer charge to over 400,000 Western Union (NYSE:WU) locations in more than 200 countries across the globe.
2010/12/23 16:55 - Aspire Mining Limited (ASX:AKM) (PINK:ASPXF) is pleased to announce the completion of the placement of 105,860,186 ordinary shares at A$0.19 per share to SouthGobi Resources Limited (TSX:SGQ).
2010/10/29 16:29 - General Manager of Global Mining Division of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM) (NYSE:CM) Mr. Terblanche recently led a team to Shangdong, China, visiting Shandong Gold (SHA:600547) and received a warm welcome.
2010/10/18 13:28 - Trevor Skyes is one Australia's leading finance writers. In a journalistic career spanning more than half a century, he has been Editor of The Bulletin, Editor-in-Chief of Australian Business and Assistant Editor of The Australian Financial Review. He is also the creator of the Pierpont column in which he assumes the identity of a crusty old clubman who surveys the financial world and its scandals through the bottom of a brandy glass at the Croesus Club.
2010/08/23 13:30 - Australian shares opened marginally lower following Wall Street's weak lead. Investors continued to place focus on the local news while the earnings season entered the final stage. The Australian dollar also opened lower on Monday over the federal election uncertainty. The local unit was trading at 88.63 US cents, down 0.44 per cent from Friday's close of 89.03 US cents.
2010/08/19 15:55 - FINANCE VIDEO: Randolph Koppa From Trade and Development Bank Speaks With Yuji Iwasaki in Mongolia.
2010/07/28 13:55 - Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, will address the World Capital Markets Symposium (WCMS) in Kuala Lumpur on 27-28 September 2010, marking his speaking debut in Malaysia, the organizers of the Symposium announced on Wednesday. Wales, who founded the free, multi-lingual virtual encyclopedia in 2001, will join policy-makers and financial industry experts in sharing their thoughts at the Symposium, with the theme "Transforming Capital Markets: Leadership, Change and Governance".
2010/07/22 16:55 - AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd. (AXA APH) (ASX:AXA) Chief Executive Andrew Penn said Thursday the company's Hong Kong business was profitable and growing with sales for the first half up 20 per cent on year. Growth was also accelerating across the Asia region with sales increased 52 per cent in the first half of 2010 compared to the same period last year.
2010/07/21 13:30 - The Australian shares opened firmer this morning after Wall Street rose on speculation that the Federal Reserve would provide more stimulus to the US economy. Mining sector delivered a strong gain in early trade, as BHP Billiton posted a report of record annual production.
2010/07/16 17:00 - The World Capital Markets Symposium (WCMS), to be hosted by the Securities Commission Malaysia on 27-28 September 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, will once again bring to Asia a truly unique platform aimed at providing participants with varied perspectives and insights into the opportunities presented to the international financial services industry to change business as usual by rethinking leadership and governance principles.
2010/06/24 09:30 - Australian shares fell for a second straight session on Thursday as investors were disappointed with the US existing home sales data and not expecting any inspiring results from new home sales. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index lost 72.2 points, or 1.6 per cent, to 4486.1 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index was off 71.9 points, or 1.6 per cent, at 4509.4.
2010/06/23 12:22 - Australian media mogul Kerry Stokes' Seven Group Holdings (ASX:SVW) confirmed it has applied for shares in Agricultural Bank of China's (AgBank) massive initial public offering (IPO) and expects a decision shortly. The maximum value applied for is US$250 million.
2010/06/07 13:30 - Australian shares today extended Friday's fall, dropping massively this morning. The Asian markets were broadly lower on Monday after the Dow Jones on Friday slumped 3.2 per cent due to the refresh fears on Europe debt. The Hungarian prime minister's spokesman said the country's economy was at risk of entering a Greek-style debt crisis. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index plunged more than 3 per cent in early trade.
2010/06/04 13:30 - The Australian share market opened lower on Friday as metals prices fell. Wall Street has provided a flat lead to the local market. Yesterday the Asian markets widely surged as investors were inspired by the US economic data. The Australian stocks snapped a three-day losing streak and posted a strong 2.4 per cent gain at the close.
2010/06/03 12:15 - Frontier Securities is organizing an annual conference, under the title "Mongolia: Capital Raising", which will be taking place at Chinggis Khaan Hotel, Ulaanbaatar, on June 15-16, 2010. This annual conference focuses on capital raising by Mongolian private sector as well as the Mongolian government by way of privatization and/or sovereign bond issue.
2010/06/01 13:30 - The Australian share market today started with a modest drop at opening while the US and UK markets closed overnight for public holidays. The local market could be driven by the economic data due out today, particularly the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision on official interest rates.
2010/05/21 13:30 - The Australian share market sank massively at opening on Friday, after Wall Street and European markets overnight slumped again due to Europe debt jitters. The Dow Jones industrial average experienced its deepest one-day plunge in more than a year, as investors feared that the European debt crisis might spread around the world.
2010/05/06 13:30 - Australian shares extended their losses today as the debt issues in Euro zone continued to perplex the global stock markets. The Australian stocks joined the slump in Asian region this morning with a 1.4 per cent fall in S&P/ASX200 index at opening. Japan's Nikkei 225 shed more than 3 per cent in early trade, after the market closed for public holiday for three days.
2010/05/05 13:45 - Australian shares fell significantly this morning after the US and European markets shed on concerns over the euro zone's ability to contain its debt crisis. The S&P/ASX 200 index lost nearly 2 per cent shortly after the market opened. On economic news front, today Australian Industry Group releases performance of service index for April, while Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes building approvals data for March.
2010/04/29 13:30 - Today Australian shares continued their losing streak in early trade, despite a positive lead from Wall Street. Yesterday the Asian and Australian market declined massively on the back to credit ratings downgrades for Greece and Portugal. Australian market's decline today was led by financial shares.
2010/04/27 13:30 - The Australian shares opened higher on Tuesday despite most Asian markets dropped in early trade. Miners were boosted by stronger copper and gold prices. Most Asian markets yesterday rose as sentiment was improved after prospects of a European Union and the International Monetary Fund bailout for Greece. The Australian sharemarket was closed on Monday for a public holiday. In economic news today, the Australian Bureau of Statistics is due to unveil producer price indices (PPI) for March quarter. The National Australia Bank releases its business confidence survey for the March quarter.
2010/04/22 13:30 - Australian share dropped sharply this morning, while most Asian markets also opened lower as Greece's debt woes lingered. Thursday Japan's Nikkei shed more than 1.7 per cent in early trade, and Australia's S&P/ASX200 declined 1.1 per cent. Yesterday Asian markets were stronger as technology stocks were encouraged by solid earnings from Apple and higher commodities prices pushed up resources shares. Japan's Nikkei and South Korea's Kospi climbed 1.7 per cent each, China's Shanghai Composite climbed 1.8 per cent.
2010/04/19 13:30 - The Australian stock market opened in negative territory this morning following Wall Street's plunge on Friday. Asian markets also fell sharply Friday. Japan's Nikkei lost 1.5 per cent on stronger yen, while China's Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index lost 1.1 per cent and 1.3 per cent respectively, due to Chinese government's further move to restrict speculative property investments.
2010/04/15 13:30 - Australian shares were stronger in early trade Thursday as resources sector were boosted by expectations of a batch of positive economic data from China. The benchmark ASX200 index rose to above 5000-point territory for the first time in 19 months, following the recent rebound of the broader All Ordinaries share index. Asian markets broadly were higher today with Japan's Nikkei opened up 0.9 per cent.
2010/04/07 13:30 - Asian markets opened flat this morning while Wall Street overnight closed with little change after the US central bank's minutes eased concerns over rate hike. Yesterday Australian stock market touched an 18-month high despite the Reserve Bank of Australia raised official rate by 25 basis points. Japan's Nikkei 225 Tuesday dropped 0.5 per cent on profit-taking selling. China's Shanghai Composite was nearly unchanged while Hong Kong market was closed for public holiday.
2010/03/31 13:30 - Wall Street Tuesday posted modest gains following the report on the upbeat consumer confidence and home prices data. Technology stocks were also supported by news that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was developing a new iPhone. Yesterday Asian markets closed mostly higher. This week investors are also looking to the US nonfarm payroll data and expecting an improving labour market. Japanese stocks broadly gained led by steel makers. Nikkei rose 1 per cent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was up 0.7 per cent while China's Shanghai Composite added 0.2 per cent. South Korea's Kospi increased 0.5 per cent.
2010/03/29 13:30 - Friday Wall Street ended flat, giving up its early gains after the news about the sinking of a South Korean naval ship raised fears of tension between North and South Korea. Today Asian markets could be helped by the euro-zone bailout for Greece and the news that South Korea has ruled out North Korea involvement in the navy vessel sinking. Friday Asian markets rallied with Japan's Nikkei hit its 18 months closing high. The Nikkei climbed 1.6 per cent due to relief over sovereign-debt problems in Greece. Both Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index and China's Shanghai Composite added 1.3 per cent.
2010/03/26 13:30 - Wall Street Thursday closed with little change after the market trimmed its early gains. US stocks rose for most of the session, but in the afternoon the market declined as falls in crude oil future hit the energy shares. Higher metal price could help the Asian markets Friday to offset some negative sentiment that cut gains on Wall Street. Asian bourses ended mixed Thursday while fiscal concerns in euro zone persist. Hong Kong and Shanghai markets lost more than 1 per cent each. However, Japan's Nikkei 225 Average added 0.1 per cent, South Korea's Kospi rose 0.4% and Taiwan's Taiex finished 0.2% higher.
2010/03/24 13:30 - Wall Street's rallies overnight provided a positive lead to Asian markets on Wednesday. Dow and S&P 500 Tuesday surged to 18-month highs led by blue-chip industrial stocks. Nasdaq was also buoyed by signs of improved semiconductor market. Asian markets closed mixed on Tuesday. Energy shares in the region rose after the price of crude oil rebounded above US$81 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell nearly 0.5 per cent due to stronger yen against euro. China's Shanghai Composite lost 0.7 per cent. But South Korea's Kospi gained 0.6 per cent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index advanced 0.3 per cent.
2010/03/22 13:35 - Asian shares are set for a weak start on Monday after US markets fell on lower commodities prices and Greek debt concerns. Japanese market today is closed for Vernal Equinox Day. Most Asian markets gained on Friday. Japan's Nikkei index rose 0.8 per cent while weakness in yen boosted exporters. China's Shanghai Composite was also higher, with Alunimium Corp of China surged 10 per cent on Friday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was up 0.2 per cent and South Korea's Kospi climbed 0.7 per cent.
2010/03/18 13:30 - Asian stocks are expected to extend gains on Thursday as US and Britain markets climbed to multi-month highs overnight. Wall Street was pushed to a fresh 17-month high as investors cheered for the drop in February Producer Price Index, or wholesale inflation. Yesterday most major Asian markets were stronger after the U.S. Federal Reserve pledge to keep interest rates low for an extended period. The Bank of Japan also left its rate unchanged at 0.1 per cent. The Nikkei Index gained 1.2 per cent and South Korea's Kospi was up 2.1 per cent. Shanghai Composite lifted 1.9 per cent while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 1.7 per cent.
2010/03/05 13:30 - Friday Asian stocks received a positive lead from Wall Street. US stocks overnight posted a slim gain, supported by better-than-expected retail sales data and analyst upgrades of a batch of blue-chip companies. Yesterday most Asian markets closed lower on renewed worries about China's policy tightening. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index slid 1.4 per cent, while Shanghai Composite lost 2.4 per cent, with China's banking and property shares dropping sharply. Singapore market was also impacted by China's property bubble concerns, and Straits Times slid 0.5 per cent. Japan's Nikkei 225 was off 1.1 per cent as strong yen hurt exporters.
2010/03/02 13:30 - Asian markets are expected to rise today as Wall Street rallied overnight on improved data of manufacturing employment in the US and a takeover of American International Group's Asian arm by British insurer Prudential. Resources shares in Asia were up on Monday as the massive earthquake in Chile raised concerns on copper supplies. Asian markets closed mostly higher yesterday. Japan's Nikkei rose 0.5 per cent, lifted by a rise in non-ferrous metal shares. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 2.2 per cent and China's Shanghai Composite added 1.2 per cent on expectations Beijing may retain an appropriately loose monetary policy at the upcoming meeting of the National People's Congress.
2010/02/25 13:30 - Asian markets mostly dropped on Wednesday. Resources shares across the region were hit by falling metals prices. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.5 per cent, South Korea's Kospi shed 1.0 per cent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index lost 0.8 per cent. The markets also weighed down by U.S. consumer confidence and German business sentiment. But China's Shanghai Composite rebounded 1.3 per cent as monetary tightening worries eased.
Australian Economy