POSCO

Asian stock markets were widely up Wednesday after Wall Street climbed to a new high of the year overnight. Gold prices hit a record high for a second day today.

China has become a major coal buyer for Australian miner Macarthur Coal Ltd (ASX:MCC) due to weaker demand from its traditional customers such as Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

Yesterday the Australian market concluded the last day of the financial year higher, led by energy and retail sectors. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 68 points, or 1.75 per cent, to 3954.9 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index was up 65.1 points, or 1.68 per cent, to 3947.8 points. The ASX200 has posted four consecutive months of gains.

The Australian shares were broadly higher. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 rose 76.4 points, or 2 per cent, at 3894.4, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 74.6 points, or 1.96 per cent, to 3887.9 points. Besides the strong lead from Wall Street, the rising commodities prices may also push up the market today.

The Australian share market closed lower with a broad-based selling off after Wall Street's tumble. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index slumped 45.4 points, or 1.2 per cent, at 3755.7, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 41.4 points, or 1.1 per cent, to 3753.9.

Most Asian major markets rebounded on Wednesday morning as investors' sentiment was boosted by gains on Wall Street overnight. Asian stocks fell massively Tuesday with most declines in financial sector.

Asian stocks markets broadly opened higher on Monday on hope of the US government's plan to remove toxic assets from the troubled financial firms. Most major indices in Asia posted strong openings and surged more than 1% in early trading.

Asian markets opened mixed Friday. Japan's Nikkei average jumped above 8000 points in early trade while South Korea's Kospi was higher led by shipbuilders and steelmakers. Other markets include Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai opened flat following the falls on Wall Street.

Asian shares broadly fell Tuesday following the declines on Wall Street. But Investors' hopes over the stimulus measures from China and Japan have offset some bleak sentiment led by the US market. Japan's Nikkei 225 Average ended with a modest fall of 0.7% while South Korea's Kospi Composite gained 0.7% and Taiwan's Taiex added 0.2%. Shanghai Composite fell 1.1% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index ended 2.3% lower.

Asian markets are expected to drop after the plummet on Wall St. On Friday Japan's Nikkei stock average lost 3.1 per cent, sliding on economic woes and a tumble by Toshiba Corp after it was hit by news it may merge part of its chip operations, a loss forecast, and a ratings cut. The benchmark Hang Seng Index closed up 123.78 points, or 0.94 per cent, at 13,278.21. The Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges open today after the week-long Chinese New Year holidays.