Japan's Nikkei share average rebounded from a five-month low on Thursday, buoyed by video-game makers Sony and Nintendo, after China ramped up its monetary easing measures to shore up a slowing economy by lowering a set of key policy rates.
China's Liaoning province found three independent oil refiners evaded fuel taxes and will prosecute the personnel involved, authorities said on Wednesday, part of a broader clampdown on irregular tax practices in the private refining sector.
Indian shares fell for a third straight session on Thursday as technology stocks continued their descent, while Bajaj Auto and tyre maker CEAT slid after reporting weak results.
* 97% voted against the airline's latest offer in December (Adds union comment; paragraph 5)
* Analysts say overvaluing targets remains a key risk for SPACs (Adds details in paragraph 7, comment in paragraphs 13 and 14)
* Private firms may see delays due to paperwork - ministry (Recasts parapraphs 1 and 4 and updates LME tin price)
Nickel prices in China hit a record high on Thursday, supported by dwindling supplies amid strong demand from stainless steel and electric vehicle battery sectors. The most-traded February nickel contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange hit a record high of 175,050 yuan ($27,591.26) a tonne and was up 6.6% at 174,110 yuan by 0250 GMT. Three-month nickel on the London Metal Exchange climbed 1.7% to $23,535 a tonne, after hitting a peak since Augu
Round-up of South Korean financial markets: ** South Korean shares edged higher on Thursday, as investors sought bargains after a five-day selling spree, though gains were capped ahead of U.S. Federal Reserve January meeting and earnings reports. The Korean won was flat, while the benchmark bond yield rose. ** By 0233 GMT, th
Block Inc, formerly Square Inc, is set to complete its acquisition of buy now, pay later (BNPL) company Afterpay Ltd by Feb. 1, one of the biggest takeovers in Australian history.
China stepped up its monetary easing efforts to prop up a slowing economy this week by lowering a set of key policy rates and lending benchmarks, and markets believe Beijing could ease further before growth bottoms out.
* China cuts mortgage reference rate for first time in nearly 2 years
* Omicron risks loom for exports, domestic demand (Adds analyst quotes, background in paragraphs 3, 12-14)
The following table shows rates for Asian currencies against the dollar at 0211 GMT. Currency Latest bid Previous day Pct Move Japan yen 114.260 114.32 +0.05 Sing dlr 1.347 1.3475 +0.05 Taiwan dlr 27.651 27.651 0.00 Korean won 1190.400 1191.7 +0.11 Baht 32.870 33.01 +0.43 Peso 51.400 51.47 +0.14 Rupiah 14350
* Woodside picks up pace on hydrogen plans (Recasts with CEO comments)
World Bank President David Malpass on Wednesday criticized Microsoft's $69 billion takeover of gaming developer Activision Blizzard as a questionable allocation of capital at a time when poor countries are struggling to restructure debts and fight COVID-19 and poverty.