Tokyo  Nikkei  8955.20  +0.01%
Seoul   KOSPI  1880.11  +1.97%
Shanghai SSEC  2567.34  +0.03%
Hong Kong HSI 20534.85  +1.64%
Singapore STI  2885.26  +3.34%
Mumbai    BSE 16676.75  Holiday
Sydney   AORD  4369.90  +0.66% 
   
1. Philippines Eyes US$60B China Trade
Philippine President Benigno Aquino arrived in Beijing last night to head a trade delegation of 250 businessmen. Both countries target to expand the two-way trade value over US$60 billion by 2016.
 
2. Japan Production Increases for 4th Month in July
The 0.6% month-on-month advance was less than the expected 2.2% jump in a previous report. A government survey showed that output is expected to jump by 2.8% in August then decrease 2.4% in September.
 
3. PCCW Plans to List Telecom Unit for US$2B 
The premier telecommunications provider in Hong Kong will seek approval to list its telecom unit as a business trust. The new separate trust is expected to begin trading on Oct 21.
 
4. Philippine Economy Expands 3.4% in Q2
The annual increase was less than a revised 4.6% gain in the previous quarter, as the European debt crisis and a weakening US recovery has been hurting the economy.
 
5. Sony, Toshiba, Hitachi to Merge LCD Operations
The three electronics giants will merge their liquid-crystal display operations using US$2.6 billion government-backed funding. The government will own a 70% stakes and the three firms take 10% each.
 
6. S Korea Output Gains 3.8% on Year
Industrial production in July was worse than expected and down from a revised 6.4% gain in June. Output dropped 0.4% from June, when it declined 0.7% in the previous month.
 
7. Tata Motor Said to Raise US$500M from Bank Loan
India's major automaker will divide two parts that consists of a US$200 million portion which matures in 5 years and a US$300 million portion which matures in 7 years. The loan is expected to be signed in Oct.
 
8. Vietnam Central Bank Scraps Limit of Lending 80% Deposit
The move will take effect Sept 1 to bolster economic growth. Last week, the central bank said it will leave its policy interest rates unchanged for now and consider cutting them if inflation slows.
 
9. Car Bomb Kills 11 in Pakistan
The suicide bomb exploded in a parking lot in southwestern city of Quetta. Another 22 people were wounded. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility.
 
10. China under Criticism for Jailing 3 Tibetan Monks
The monks were sentenced by a court in Sichuan province for between 10 and 13 years for helping a fellow monk to burn himself to death in March, sparking criticism from the US and rights groups.