Asia
Malaysian Economy Shrinks Less Than Estimated as Asia Recovery Strengthens Malaysia’s economy shrank the least
in three quarters as government stimulus boosted consumption and
the global recession eased, strengthening an Asian recovery.
Asia's Stocks Post Biggest Decline in Three Weeks Amid Japan Share Sales Asian stocks fell this week,
dragging the MSCI Asia Pacific Index to its biggest weekly
decline in three amid Japanese share sales, while companies
including Sony Corp. fueled profit concerns.
Japan's Bonds Gain a Second Week on Outlook for Interest Rates, Deflation Japan’s 20-year government bonds
gained for a second week after the central bank held interest
rates near zero amid mounting pressure for it to fight
deflation.
Asian Currencies Drop Amid Capital Controls Risk, Led by Indonesian Rupiah Asian currencies fell this week, led
by Indonesia’s rupiah, on speculation regional policy makers
will restrict capital inflows to prevent appreciation that may
hurt exports.
Capital Controls in Asia to Limit `Hot Money' Inflow May Threaten Recovery Asian policy makers are studying
capital controls to limit “hot money” inflows that may stoke
asset bubbles and force their currencies to appreciate.
AIG Investment Unit Renamed PineBridge Before Sale to Li's Pacific Century American International Group Inc.’s
fund management arm has been renamed PineBridge Investments as
the bailed-out insurer prepares to sell the unit to Pacific
Century Group.
Stringer Sees 3D as Sony's Next $10 Billion Business; Investors Skeptical Sony Corp. Chairman Howard Stringer
forecast 3D movies, pictures and games will be the electronics
maker’s next $10 billion business, challenging investors and
analysts who say the technology isn’t ready to become mainstream.
Murata to Delay Plan to Sell Lithium Batteries by a Year Amid Competition Murata Manufacturing Co. will
postpone its plan to start selling lithium-ion batteries by at
least a year as it plots a strategy to compete in a market that
includes Japanese rivals Panasonic Corp. and GS Yuasa Corp.
China Sidesteps Yuan Criticism as Zhou Says Government Passive on Dollar China is “passive” on the value of
the U.S. dollar, central bank Governor Zhou Xiaochuan said,
signaling that policy makers aren’t yet prepared to loosen
controls on the yuan.
Sell Japan Stocks, Buy Bonds as Deflation Raises Loan Costs: Chart of Day Investors should sell Japanese
stocks and buy government bonds as deepening deflation caused
real interest rates to diverge from stock prices for the first
time in 18 years, according to MU Investments Co.
Clinton Sees Encouraging Karzai Signs as U.S. Plots Afghanistan War Plan Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
said she is encouraged by Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s
promises to fight corruption and build up Afghan security forces
to replace U.S. troops by the end of his new five-year term.
U.S. Calls for Myanmar Dialogue as Suu Kyi Writes to Ruling Military Junta The U.S. said it’s hopeful that
political dialogue can begin in Myanmar between the military
government and opposition parties after pro-democracy leader
Aung San Suu Kyi wrote to junta chief Senior General Than Shwe.
Shionogi's Sex-Extending Spray May Help Premature Ejaculators, Study Finds A spray-on treatment for premature
ejaculation may help sufferers prolong sexual intercourse by as
much as five times, doctors found.