RiskMetrics News

Japanese exchange-traded funds, the most popular ETFs in the world this year, fell in U.S. trading as the Topix index posted the biggest drop since the aftermath of the March 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster.

Trading hours on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange will be extended by one hour next month to overlap more with Europe and the United States, in a bid to attract more foreign investors to Israeli stocks and bonds.

Hawkish comments by U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and weakness in China's factory activity rattled Asian markets on Thursday, sending stock prices down, the U.S. dollar to three-year highs, and Japanese government bond yields to their highest in a year.

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 80.41 points, or 0.52 percent, at 15,307.17. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was down 13.81 points, or 0.83 percent, at 1,655.35. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 38.82 points, or 1.11 percent, at 3,463.30. For a full report, double click on - - - - LONDON - Growth sensitive sectors drove Britain's top ... (more)

The upgrade is due to increased credit enhancement due to paydowns and defeasance.

Emerging-market stocks rose to the highest level in more than a week before Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke's testimony on the economy.

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.