Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc

Asian Activities Report for December 9, 2011 includes: Shanghai Electric Group (SHA:601727) (HKG:2727) has signed agreements with Siemens (NYSE:SI) to jointly invest over 165 million euros in two joint venture companies in China for the development, manufacturing and sales of wind power equipments; Beijing Enterprises Holdings Limited (HKG:0392) says that its subsidiary Green Industry (Qinghai) has signed a contracting agreement for a 20 megawatt photovoltaic grid-tied power generation project in Qinghai Province in China; Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. (TYO:8306) will form a strategic business and capital alliance with AMP Limited (ASX:AMP); Honda Motor (TYO:7267) says that two of its auto plants in Ohio have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2011 Energy Star award.

Wall Street shares closed mixed as investors took a breather after the new year's rally and turned cautious ahead of the payroll and employment data due on Friday. Yesterday Asian shares ended mostly higher following the good performance in Wall Street. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was 2.1 per cent higher while Shanghai Composite added 1.2 per cent.

Asian bourses opened mixed on Thursday after Wall Street posted a small gain overnight. US dollar's rebound provides an excuse for investors to lock in profits from the recent rallies. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pared its early gains this morning after a touch of a fresh 15 month high. Tokyo stocks fell on jitters over a series of corporate fund raising plans.

Asian share markets broadly opened in positive territory. Japan's Nikkei was buoyed by the latest data showing that Japan's economy grew 1.2 per cent in July-September from the previous quarter, exceeding market expectations.

Wall Street closed modestly higher on Tuesday after positive US economic data. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke also said the "recession is very likely over at this point". US retail sales were surprisingly strong in August largely due to government's "cash for clunkers" program, but analysts warned that it may not represent a sustainable recovery in consumer spending.

The Board of Foster's Group Limited (ASX:FGL) has approved a $US500 million 3-year syndicated debt facility, following a recent successful road-show and invitation to Asian bank debt markets.

Asian markets extended strong gains Tuesday. However, investors were still cautious although US shares jumped nearly 7% a day earlier. On Wednesday most major indices in Asia opened modestly lower following the weak lead of Wall Street.