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Dow Jones Industrial Average was marginally higher overnight, supported by financial stocks. But material stocks were under pressure as commodities prices declined. Asian markets Wednesday closed mixed. Singapore market finished 0.8 per cent higher to their a seven-week high after a report showed that Singapore's economy was expected to grow 6.5 per cent in 2010. Japan's Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index finished flat after moving between gains and losses during the session. South Korea's Kospi ended 0.1% higher. But China's Shanghai Composite snapped a three-day rise and fell 0.7 per cent ahead of the inflation data.

Asian stocks received a positive lead on Wednesday as US and European markets were lifted after Greece debt concerns eased. Asian markets ended mostly higher Tuesday. Australian share advanced 0.3 per cent despite central bank raised the official interest rate by 25 basis points in board meeting yesterday. South Korea's Kospi posted a solid gain yesterday with a 1.3 per cent rise, Japan's Nikkei 225 Average gained 0.5 per cent and Taiwan's Taiex was up 0.3 per cent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.7 per cent, dragged by disappointing earnings of HSBC. China's Shanghai Composite fell 0.5 per cent.

Asian markets were higher Thursday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 1.9 per cent and South Korea's Kospi advanced 1.8 per cent. China's Shanghai Composite closed flat with thin trade ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year, despite a slower than CPI growth eased worries of rate increase.