Aug 29, 2008 12:54 AM ET
The Statistics Bureau in Japan reported on its Web site today that the consumer price index in Japan rose 0.2% from the previous month and gained 2.3% from a year earlier. In Tokyo trading Nikkei 225 index rose 2.4% today and added 3.2% for the week and dropped 2.3% for the month, and the broader Topix Index rose 2.9% in the session. Industrial production rose 0.9% in July after it fell 2.2% in June. Nisshinbo Industries led advancers in the Nikkei 225 index shares with a rise of 10.47%. >>

Aug 28, 2008 8:49 AM ET
Stocks in Japan edged higher lifted by rising commodities related stocks and news of acquisition from Ricoh. The office equipment company agreed to acquire IKON Office Solutions for $1.6 billion in cash, 33% premium from its 60-day trailing average price. More construction companies and home builders in Japan are expected falter in the rest of the year. July month saw nearly 1,140 bankruptcies in Japan, with nearly third of them from the construction industry. >>

Aug 27, 2008 6:14 PM ET
Stocks in Japan fell as fourth home builder filed for bankruptcy protection in as many months. Tight lending standards and revised and tougher building code pushed several home builders into financial distress. Tokyo office rent fell in August from July, a first monthly decline in three decades. The news of the bankruptcy dragged stocks lower. >>

Aug 26, 2008 5:07 PM ET
Stock market indexes in Japan fell as more evidence emerged of a global economic slowdown. Investors sought stocks linked to the domestic economy and sold stocks linked to exports to the U.S. and Europe. The U.S. dollar also strengthened against yen. Construction sector in Japan continue to take more casualties as more companies face tighter lending standards. Sebon Corp filed for bankruptcy protection with 62 billion yen in liabilities. >>

Aug 25, 2008 5:03 PM ET
Kirin acquired Australia''s second largest dairy farm operations known as Dairy Farmers after ten months it acquired National Foods from San Miguel of Philippines. The brewer agree to pay A$910 million for the dairy and had paid A$2.7 billion for National Foods. Australia, the third largest dairy exporter in the world is expected to increase its milk production less than 2% and exports more than 10% in the fiscal 2009. >>

Aug 22, 2008 10:43 PM ET
U.S. brokers may be forced to write down more mortgage related assets in the latest quarterly results. Three largest brokerages collectively have $3 trillion of assets on their balance sheets. Even 3% decline in asset values can wipe out the entire equity base of these companies. Citigrop estimates Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Lehman Brothers may write down $6.4 billion of mortgage related assets. >>

Aug 21, 2008 2:44 PM ET
Global credit markets weakness spread by the regulatory failures in the U.S. financial system continue to hobble investors in Japan and in Asia. Stocks in Tokyo fell. Japan trade surplus in July dropped 87% to 91 billion yen as imports rise faster than exports on rising crude oil prices. Exports to China and Asia continue to rise and but exports to the U.S. declined for the eleventh month in a row. >>

Aug 20, 2008 2:28 PM ET
Stocks in Tokyo fell as traders could not shake off persistent worries related to the health of the U.S. financial companies. Lehman Brothers may be forced to sell assets and mark down financial assets of $4 billion in its upcoming earnings scheduled next week. Shippers in Asia and in Japan fell after the freight rate index fell. Slower demand in the U.S. is likely to force Toyota to lower its unit sales target to 9.5 million. >>

Aug 19, 2008 11:05 AM ET
Stocks in Japan plunged on resurgent credit worries after media speculation that if the U.S Treasury bails out troubled mortgage lenders Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, shareholders may be wiped out. The Bank of Japan left its key rate unchanged at 0.5%. Domestic related stocks gained as investors sought a haven from shares that are exposed to deteriorating global conditions. JGC led advancers in the Nikkei index with a rise of 3.3% followed by gains in Yahoo Japan and Citizen Holdings. >>

Aug 18, 2008 7:00 PM ET
Japan benchmark index increased on rising commodity stocks after Mitsubishi UFJ Securities upgraded rating on Sumitomo Metal Industries. Investors sought property developers stocks after a recent sell-off sparked by Urban Corp bankruptcy last week. In Tokyo trading Nikkei 225 rose 1.12% to 13,165.45, and the broader Topix Index jumped 1.3% to 1,263.75. Total wages increased 0.4% to 467,938 yen in June, and contractual cash earnings gained 0.2% to 270,712 yen. >>