Astellas Pharma Inc. (TYO:4503), based in Tokyo, Japan, is a company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.astellas.com/en
Asian Activities Report for December 14, 2011 includes: Coach, Inc. (NYSE:COH) (HKG:6388) has opened its first official online store in China on Taobao Mall; Japan-based global IT giant NTT Data Corporation (TYO:9613) has opened a childcare centre, named "Egg Garden" at its headquarter in Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Shiseido (TYO:4911) has announced its intent to sell bareMinerals makeup products in Brazil; Astellas Pharma Inc. (TYO:4503) and Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:OPTR) announced that the European Commission has granted a marketing authorisation for DIFICLIR(TM) tablets for the treatment of adults aged 18 years and older with Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) in the European Union.
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.
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.
