Tokyo  Nikkei  9844.59  -1.21%
Seoul   KOSPI  2121.27  -2.35%
Shanghai SSEC  2679.26  -0.91%
Hong Kong HSI 22436.60  -1.00%
Singapore STI  3177.09  -1.19%
Mumbai    BSE 18109.89  -1.12%
Sydney   AORD  4510.30  -1.37% 
   
1. Toyota Posts First Quarterly Loss in 2 Years
Japan's top automaker reported an operating loss of US$1.4 billion in last quarter, compared with a net profit of US$2.72 billion a year earlier, but it raised the forecast to US$5.82 billion for FY2012.
 
2. S Korea Buys 25 Tons of Gold in Past 2 Months
It was first gold purchase since the 1997-1998 financial crisis in Asia, making its bullion holdings to 39.4 tons. S Korea's foreign reserves jumped by US$6.55 billion in July to US$311.03 billion.
 
3. CKI to Acquire Northumbrian Water for US$39.2B
A consortium led by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing's Cheung Kong Infrastructure made full cash offer to the British utility firm. Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board, owns 26.8% in Northumbrian Water, plans to back the acquisition proposal.
 
4. Asian Stocks Fall on Weak Data
Japan's Nikkei dropped 1.2% and MSCI's Asian shares index outside Japan fell 1.6%, as sluggish U.S. and global manufacturing data added to concerns about the economic recovery.
 
5. Mah Sing Signs US$303.8M Project
The Malaysian property giant will form a joint venture with Asie to develop a 4.08 arce land into a residential project. Mah Sing may involve in other land parcels within the 58 acre development.
 
6. Kirin to Buy Brazil Business for US$2.53B
Japan's top beer maker will purchase 50.45% of Schincariol, the 2nd largest beer maker in Brazil. Schincariol owns 13 factories and a nationwide distribution network in the country.
 
7. China Halts Offshore Yuan Borrowing
The central bank told banks in mid-July that it would stop accepting applications for direct offshore yuan borrowing from mainland companies. The move was seen as an attempt to curb hot money flows.
 
8. Vietnam to Offer 9 Oil Blocks for Tenders
The state-owned oil giant will offer the areas located in the Nam Con Son, Phu Quoc and Malay-Tho Chu basins. The licensing round will run from Aug 1 until Jan 5. 
 
9. Japan Warns of China's Growing Naval Muscle 
An annual defence report, approved by PM Naoto Kan's cabinet, voiced concern over China's "growing assertiveness" and widening naval reach in nearby waters and the Pacific and over what it called the "opaqueness" of Beijing's military budget..
 
10. Bomb Explosion Kills 1, Wounds 6 in Philippines
Officials said the blast in front of a gun store in the southern Cotabato city killed at least 1 person and wounding 6. No one has claimed responsibility.