Wall Street's modest gain overnight provided Asian stocks a positive lead, but lingering concerns over China's monetary policy could drag the regional markets today. Investors may keep cautious ahead of policy meetings by the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan this week. Yesterday most Asian markets were lower. Japan's Nikkei 225 ended flat and South Korea's Kospi fell 0.8 per cent. China's Shanghai Composite lost 1.2 per cent, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 0.6 per cent amid fears of Chinese government's possible credit tightening measure.

Asian markets are expected to rise today as Wall Street rallied overnight on improved data of manufacturing employment in the US and a takeover of American International Group's Asian arm by British insurer Prudential. Resources shares in Asia were up on Monday as the massive earthquake in Chile raised concerns on copper supplies. Asian markets closed mostly higher yesterday. Japan's Nikkei rose 0.5 per cent, lifted by a rise in non-ferrous metal shares. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 2.2 per cent and China's Shanghai Composite added 1.2 per cent on expectations Beijing may retain an appropriately loose monetary policy at the upcoming meeting of the National People's Congress.

Asian markets mostly dropped on Wednesday. Resources shares across the region were hit by falling metals prices. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.5 per cent, South Korea's Kospi shed 1.0 per cent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index lost 0.8 per cent. The markets also weighed down by U.S. consumer confidence and German business sentiment. But China's Shanghai Composite rebounded 1.3 per cent as monetary tightening worries eased.

Australian shares posted a strong gain on Wednesday while Wall Street and Asian markets picked up on a brightened outlook and higher commodities prices. The local market was also lifted by a bunch of upbeat profit results. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index surged 100.1 points, or 2.2 per cent, at 4667.9, while the broader All Ordinaries index jumped 96 points, or 2.1 per cent, to 4686.8.

Australian shares fell on Tuesday led by financials sector as investors remained concerns over Europe's financial health. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 16.3 points, or 0.4 per cent, at 4505.1. The broader All Ordinaries index fell 18.1 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 4520.7.

The Australian sharemarket extended last week's losing streak as latest report of China's growing manufacturing activity raised fears on a new round of credit tightening by the Chinese government. The S&P/ASX200 fell 45.5 points, or 1 per cent, to 4524.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index today lost 52.1 points, or 1.1 per cent, at 4544.8.

Yesterday the Australian sharemarket gained as the Chinese government released a report showing that China's exports jumped 17.7 per cent in December. The Australian dollar was stronger on Monday on the positive Chinese trade data and improved domestic jobs data. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index advanced 38.6 points, or 0.8 per cent, at 4950.7, while the broader All Ordinaries index was up 39 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 4981.2.

Wall Street broke its winning streak and closed lower overnight after a disappointing report showed US housing starts fell 10.6 per cent in October and permits fell 4.0 per cent. The tumble suggested that the real estate sector is still under pressure.

Dr. Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UN agency in charge of the Kyoto Protocol, has just confirmed that a representative from their Accreditation and Project Assessment unit will be meeting with carbon buyers and sellers in China

Wall Street declined overnight on a weak housing report, despite some strong earnings results. The Commerce Department said that construction starts on privately owned homes rose 0.5 per cent to 590,000, lower than expectations.