RiskMetrics News

Asia's benchmark stock index is poised for a second weekly advance after Japan 's Topix Index closed at the highest level since 2008 as leasing companies rallied on a report Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will encourage the practice to revive capital spending.

Emerging stocks rose for the first time in four days, led by consumer companies, as the Borsa Istanbul National 100 index climbed to a record.

Emerging-market stocks fell for a third day, led by technology and financial companies, as Chinese economic data trailed estimates.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 35.87 points, or 0.24 percent, at 15,118.49. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 7.03 points, or 0.43 percent, at 1,633.70. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 27.41 points, or 0.80 percent, at 3,436.58. For a full report, double click on - - - - LONDON - Heavyweight telecom BT led Britain's top shares ... (more)

The surge in Japanese stock prices and the plunge in the yen against the U.S. dollar on Friday have bolstered the appeal of two currency-hedged Japanese equity exchange traded funds.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 22.50 points, or 0.15 percent, to end at 15,082.62. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index declined 6.02 points, or 0.37 percent, to finish at 1,626.67. The Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 4.10 points, or 0.12 percent, to close at 3,409.17. For a full report, double click on - - - - LONDON - Britain's top share index ... (more)

Emerging stocks reversed earlier gains as commodity producers paced losses in Brazil's Ibovespa, overshadowing a surprise interest rate cut in South Korea.

What's happened to China? It used to be that all investors needed was to hold the iShares FTSE China 25 exchange traded fund and let her rip.

Gold was little changed after the biggest advance in almost two weeks as stocks from the U.S. to Asia rallied and SPDR Gold Trust assets dropped.

Emerging stocks rose to a two-month high, erasing this year's drop, as China's export growth stoked gains in technology companies and Turkish shares jumped.

The two largest ETFs for Japan have raked in nearly $10 billion of new cash this year as investors chase the stunning rally fueled by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's mission to stoke inflation and revive the The resurgence of Japan's stock market is having a dramatic effect in the U.S., where the two largest ETFs for Japan have raked in nearly $10 ... (more)

Buoyant stock markets are a global phenomenon: MSCI's global index, which includes 45 countries, surpassed its June 2008 high today, while Germany's DAX hit an all-time high.

Wall Street edged up at the open, with the S&P touching an intraday high of 1,623.74. Recent gains in U.S. equities have come on strength in technology, basic materials and banking shares, sectors that are closely related to an economy in expansion.

Russian stocks rose for a third day as optimism central banks will continue policies to revive economic growth boosted riskier, emerging-market shares.

Emerging-market stocks rose to a seven-week high as Malaysian shares rallied to a record after Prime Minister Najib Razak won elections, US jobs growth bolstered confidence in the global economy and higher oil prices lifted producers.

SGX CNX Nifty Index futures for May delivery rose 0.6 percent to 5,987 at 10:31 a.m. in Singapore.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed up 142.38 points, or 0.96 percent, at 14973.96. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index ended up 16.83 points, or 1.05 percent, at 1,614.42. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 38.01 points, or 1.14 percent, at 3,378.63. For a full report, double click on - - - - LONDON - Britain's benchmark equity index rose on Friday ... (more)

Asian stocks rose to a 10-week high and oil jumped for a third day after faster-than-forecast U.S. employment growth bolstered optimism in the world's largest economy.

JPMorgan Chase & Co., the biggest U.S. bank, should separate the roles of chairman and chief executive officer that are both held by Jamie Dimon, according to advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services.

JINJIANG, CHINA Employees work at a toy factory in Jinjiang, Fujian Province of China.