Tokyo  Nikkei  8851.35  +0.61%
Seoul   KOSPI  1829.50  +2.84%
Shanghai SSEC  2576.41  -1.37%
Hong Kong HSI 19865.11  +1.44%
Singapore STI  2791.89  +1.59%
Mumbai    BSE 16416.33  +3.58%
Sydney   AORD  4333.70  +1.47% 
  
1. Asian Stocks Higher after Bernanke Speech
Tokyo rose 0.61% and Seoul advanced 2.84% following Wall Street's rally last Friday on a key speech by US Fed chief Ben Bernanke. Hong Kong gained 1.44% while China climbed 1.37%. 
 
2. S Korea Current Account Surplus Jumps to 9-month High
The surplus hit US$4.94 billion in July, compared with a revised US$2.03 billion in the previous month. The cumulative surplus was US$13 billion for the first 7 months of the year and the central bank revised up its full year forecast to US$15.5 billion.
 
3. Gome Profit Climbs 30%
Net income of Chinese electronics retailer jumped to US$196 million in the 6 months ended June 30. Same store sales gained 7.4%. The firm opened 131 outlets and closed 19 in the period. 
 
4. San Miguel Plans US$1B Upgrade
The Philippines' largest listed company may upgrade its Malaysian refiner and the maximum capacity will add to 88,000 barrels a day. It acquired a 65% stake in Esso Malaysia for US$206 billion earlier.
 
5. SK Telecom Win 4G Spectrum Auction for US$926M
S Korea's biggest mobile carrier outbid KT, which acquired a license for the 800 megahertz spectrum for US$243 million. KT already has a license for the 1.8 GHz bandwidth for 4G network.
 
6. Mitsubishi Unit to Raise US$194M for Property Loan Fund
Diamond Realty Management intends to complete the fund raising by the end of Mar 2012. The fund will be used for property financing and it aims to reach a 6% annual return.
 
7. Vietnam Hikes Dollar Reserve Ratio by 1 Percentage Point
The reserve-requirement ratio on US dollar deposit will climb to a range of 5% to 8% from 4% to 7%. The move is expected to limit credit growth and steady the Vietnamese Dong.
 
8. Sime Darby to Buy Stake for US$257M
The largest palm oil producer in Malaysia will acquire a 30% stake of Eastern and Oriental to expand its property business. Both companies will also sign a 3 year property development agreement.
 
9. Japan Financial Minister Noda to Become PM
Yoshihiko Noda, gaining 215 votes in the second-round ballot, was elected the leader of the ruling Democratic Party and therefore set to become the country's sixth new prime minister in 5 years. 
 
10. PetroChina: Dalian Refinery Fire Put Out
The fire started in early morning in a diesel tank containing 800 tons of fuel, but it has been extinguished, with no injuries reported. It was the 2nd fire in 2 months following one in mid July.