Tokyo  Nikkei  9659.18  +0.23%
Seoul   KOSPI  2018.47  -2.31%
Shanghai SSEC  2684.04  +0.21%
Hong Kong HSI 21884.70  -0.49%
Singapore STI  3107.01  -0.75%
Mumbai    BSE 17693.18  -1.38%
Sydney   AORD  4352.90  -1.26% 
 
1. Cheung Kong's H1 Profit Climbs 170% on Year
Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing's flagship posted a net income of US$4.27 billion in the first half of this year. Profit for Hutchison Whampoa, another company controlled by Li, gained 6.35 times to US$5.9 billion, but missed the forecast.
 
2. Japan Increases Asset Purchases by US$130B
The Bank of Japan also intervened in the foreign currency market as it decided to ease the monetary policy, weakening the exchange rate as US dollar fell as low as 76.29 yen on Monday.
 
3. Oversea-Chinese Banking Profit Jumps 15% on Year
Net income of Singapore's 2nd largest bank was US$479 million in the 3 months ended June 30, which was less than expected. Net interest margin narrowed to 1.87% from 1.96% a year earlier. 
 
4. Mitsubishi Heavy, Hitachi to Discuss Merger of Units
Executives from both Japanese firms met to discuss merging in areas such as next-generation power operations and smart grids. A merger would create a US$150 billion revenue infrastructure firm.
 
5. S Korea Sees Sept Inflation at 3% Range
Financial Ministry of the nation made the remark as the government tried to curb the consumer prices increase in Aug to within 5%.
 
6. Bank of East Asia Posts US$348M Profit
Hong Kong's 3rd largest bank said projected profit in the first half gained 29% from a year earlier to a record high level. Profit was better than expected, while net interest income rose 20% to US$564 millioon.
 
7. Malaysia Exports Gain 8.6% in June
Shipments climbed to US$19.31 billion, while imports jumped 6.3% to US$16.75 billion. Trade surplus narrowed to US$2.56 billion from US$2.75 billion in May. For Jan-June period, exports increased 6.6% on year, while imports gained 9.6%.  
 
8. CapitaLand Q2 Profit up 17%
The Singapore-based property developer posted a net income of US$331 million in the 3 months ended June 30. The firm made US$4.15 billion of new investments in the first half of this year.
 
9. Helicopter Crash Kills 10 in Indonesia
6 Indonesians and 4 foreigners, 2 Australians and 2 South Africans employed by Melbourne-based Newcrest Mining, were on board when the chopper went down in heavy rain shortly after taking off from Manado on Sulawesi island.  
 
10. Gunmen Kill 3 in Thailand's South
Suspected Islamic insurgents shot dead a Muslim teacher and two other civilians in two separate attacks. It was not clear what provoked the attacks.