Tokyo  Nikkei  8535.67  -2.31%
Seoul   KOSPI  1812.93  Holiday
Shanghai SSEC  2497.75  Holiday
Hong Kong HSI 19030.54  -4.21%
Singapore STI  2743.58  -2.89%
Mumbai    BSE 16501.74  -2.17%
Sydney   AORD  4125.10  -3.56% 
 
1. Asia Stocks Plummet amid Europe Debt Worries
Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average shed 2.3% to its lowest close since April 2009. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost 4.2% while Australia's the S&P/ASX 200 plunged 3.7%.. 
 
2. Banpu Offers to Buy Hunnu for US$493M
Thailand's largest coal maker agreed to buy 88% of the Mongolia coal maker. Banpu currently owns 12% of Hunnu, purchased the stake in Mar for US$46.7 million.
 
3. Japan Big Manufacturers Sentiment Jumps in Q3
The index of sentiment at large manufacturers gained to plus 10.3 in Jul-Sep from minus 23.3 in Apr-June. Their capital spending forecasts for Mar 2012 also increased by 5.4% from 4.9% in the previous quarterly survey.
 
4. GAIL India to Borrow US$300M Abroad
The nation's biggest gas distributor plans to borrow the money overseas next month to take advantage of the lower interest rate. GAIL India delayed to draw up to US$267 million from a local bank as it seeks cheaper rates overseas.
 
5. Cooling Inflation Still Top Priority in China
The announcement by the central bank may disappoint investors who hope Beijing will reverse repeated interest rate hikes, after inflation fell to 6.2% in Aug from 6.5% in July. 
 
6. Tenfu Plans HK IPO for US$182M Fund Raising
The tea manufacturer is offering 208.6 million shares for US$0.615 to US$0.872 each. It plans to start trading in Hong Kong on Sep 26. 
 
7. India Industrial Output Gains 3.3% on Year
The growth in July was the slowest in 21 months, down from an 8.8% advance in June and worse than expected. The gauge indicated the waning consumer demand after rate hikes.
 
8. Thailand Pension Fund to Double Property, Commodity Investments
The state-run fund plans to invest up to US$1.5 billion in such alternative investments in the next 3 years, making the ratio to 12% from 6.6% currently. It looks for a better return after adjusting the portfolio.
 
9. Indonesia Road Accident Kills 19
A smash between a bus and an overloaded minibus killed 19 people, including an 8-year old girl. Both drivers were killed in the accident while police suspected the drivers were speeding.
 
10. Taiwan Opposition Candidate Visits US to Boost Ties
Tsai Ing-wen, chairwoman of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party flew to US in a trip aimed at paving the way for further ties with Washington if her party retakes power in Jan 2012.