Softbank Corporation

Overnight the Wall Street was stronger after the bill overhauling the US healthcare system was passed. Asian stock markets were mostly lower on Monday as Reserve Bank of India unexpectedly increased the official interest rate by 25 basis points. The Indian central bank's move has raised fears of an earlier-than-expected rate hike in China. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 2.05 per cent and South Korea's Kospi was down 0.8 per cent. But Shanghai composite edged 0.2 per cent higher. Japanese markets, which were closed for public holiday yesterday, resume trading on Tuesday.

Most Asian stocks tumbled massively yesterday as the Obama government suggested a bankruptcy for the struggling US car makers. Most major indices in Asia opened higher on Tuesday despite sharp loss on Wall Street, largely due to optimism of the local economy and corporate performance.

On Friday Asian markets closed mixed in a volatile trading session. Japan's Nikkei 225 Average climbed 1.5%, while South Korea's Kospi rose 0.8%. China's Shanghai Composite was down 1.8% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.7%. Tokyo stocks slid more than 3 percent on Monday after the news that U.S. government will take a large stake in Citigroup. South Korean stocks also made a weak start today, weighed down by the deepening financial jitters and the weakening local currency.

Most major Asian indexes ended higher on Monday except for the Japan market. Tokyo stocks hit by the bankruptcy of nonbank lender SFCG dropped 2.8% in early trading and ended 0.5% at the close. South Korea's Kospi jumped 3.2%, China's Shanghai Composite added 2% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index surged 3.8%. This morning the Nikkei average extended its tumble after US stocks sank to a record low since 1997.

Most Asian markets were hammered Monday over the concerns that the global recession is deepening. Hong Kong shares plunged sharply, even as mainland-Chinese shares gained after the Chinese New Year holidays. In Tokyo, some of Japan's biggest industrial companies fell to multiyear lows. China's Shanghai Composite contrasted other major indexes with 1 per cent surge as agricultural sector was strengthened after the Chinese government announced measures to prevent grain production from falling.