The Nikkei news online reported that Japan’s real estate investment trusts are less willing to buy properties on stricter lending regulation and declining share prices. Sumitomo Realty & Development fell 5.34% and Tokyo Dome plummeted 0.70%.

Seven & I Holdings reported today that net income might top 127 billion yen for the year ending February, from 133 billion yen reported in the same period a year ago.

The retailer cut its forecast by 12% on costs to introduce an electronic payment system at its convenience stores.

Kyodo news reported today Matsushita Electrical Industrial Company will rename itself to Panasonic.


Asian Markets Indexes Update

In Tokyo Nikkei 225 Index closed lower 211.05 or 1.45% to 14,388.11, in Hong Kong Hang Seng index decreased 384.99 or 1.39% closed to 27,230.86, in Australia ASX 200 index lower 9.15 or 0.15% to close 6,078.70.

In South Korea Kospi Index decreased 19.69 or 1.07% to close at 1,824.78, in Thailand SET index closed lower 20.29 or 2.47% to 800.18. Sensex index in India decreased 287.70 or 1.38% to 20,582.08. Financial markets in Indonesia were closed today.


4:00AM New York, 8:00PM Sydney – Westpac Banking sold $1.2 billion bonds yielding premium on weak global sentiment.

ASX 200 index lost 0.2% or 9 to close at 6,078.70.

The Preliminary market turnover was 1.76 billion, worth $6.02 billion, with 546 shares trading higher, 695 trading lower, and 365 unchanged.

The most actively traded stock was Centro Properties, with 102.4 million shares worth $95.6 million changing hands.

Qantas Airways Ltd defused a potentially damaging strike after agreeing with its engineers union to extend wage negotiation up to the end of this month.

The National Secretary of the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association, Steve Purvinas told reporters today that the airline and the association were negotiating a new pay settlement after having appeared before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

The engineers want a 5% increase in the annual pay, 2% more than the airline is offering.

The airline was reported to have reversed its earlier decision to cancel annual leave for its 1,700 engineers after they had threatened to refuse overtime work or perform the jobs of colleagues. The turnaround was in response for calls for both parties to hold hostilities as negotiations continue. Qantas share lost 1%.

Westpac Banking Corporation recorded the first local currency debt sale by an Australian bank this year. It sold $1.2 billion (U.S.$1.1 billion) bonds but only after it offered a higher yield.

According to National Australia Bank Ltd, investors were looking for higher returns on Australian corporate bonds on the back of the nation''s banks face increased refinancing costs on $8.4 billion of bonds due to mature this year.

The country''s four biggest banks took more than $10 billion of funding for structured investment vehicles so called SIV back onto their balance sheets in September. Westpac fell 1.3%.