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US, Europe woes hit China output
December 30, 2011--China's manufacturing activity continued to shrink in December, HSBC said on Friday, as economic strife in the key European and US markets hobbled demand for the nation's goods.
The final HSBC purchasing managers' index (PMI) reached 48.7 in December, slightly better than the 47.7 in November but lower than preliminary PMI of 49 released earlier this month, as new orders dropped.
A reading above 50 indicates expansion while a reading below 50 suggests a contraction.
Sebi allows 2 and 5 year IRFs in G-secs
December 30, 2011-- In order to help investors guard against interest rate fluctuations, capital market regulator Sebi today introduced two-year and five-year exchange-traded IRFs (Interest Rate Futures) in government bonds.
"It has now been decided to permit the introduction of cash settled futures on 2-year and 5-year notional coupon bearing Government of India security on currency derivatives segment of stock exchanges," Sebi said, issuing the guidelines for the new instruments
Japan Exchanges Look to Speed Up Merger
December 29, 2011--Japan's two largest exchanges are considering using a new legal framework to accelerate their merger, a move that could bring the country's top financial watchdog on board to champion the integration.
At a joint news conference, the heads of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Osaka Securities Exchange Co. again acknowledged the need to complete their merger quickly as Japan struggles to maintain its competitive position against regional rivals such as Hong Kong and Singapore.
'Shocked’ Indian Regulator to Review Initial Share Sale Rules
December 29, 2011-- India’s capital market regulator is reviewing the initial public offering process to stop companies from raising funds using falsified information, after seven firms were found to have violated rules.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India will take some “immediate measures” following its investigation into the seven IPOs, Chairman U.K. Sinha said today. The regulator barred the companies from raising more money from the capital markets, according to separate rulings posted on its website.
China, Japan unveil deals to tighten finance ties
December 25, 2011--Chinese and Japanese leaders have unveiled initiatives to tighten financial links between East Asia's economic giants and sometime rivals - measures that could expand use of China's tightly controlled currency abroad.
During a visit to Beijing by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, the two governments said in a surprise announcement Sunday they will encourage use of their own currencies in bilateral trade, which now is conducted mostly in US dollars. They also agreed to support the sale of bonds denominated in China's yuan by Japanese companies in Tokyo and foreign markets and by the state-owned Japan Bank of International Cooperation in mainland China's markets, which are closed to most foreign investors.
India set to launch infrastructure push
December 23, 2011--Manmohan Singh, India’s prime minister, is set to launch a fresh push to restart many of his nation’s most important stalled infrastructure projects.
The decision, taken at a meeting on Thursday of about a dozen big industrialists including Ratan Tata of the Tata Group and Mukesh Ambani of Reliance, follows concern over falling confidence levels in India’s slowing economy.
China: EU carbon tax could spark trade war
December 22, 2011--China on Thursday criticised a decision by Europe’s highest court to charge airlines for carbon emissions on flights to and from Europe, calling it a “green barrier” that could spark a trade war.
“This is a trade barrier in the name of environmental protection and will strike a wide blow to passenger benefits and the international airline industry,” the state-run Xinhua News Agency said in a signed commentary.
Japan forecasts 2.2% growth next year
December 22, 2011--Japan’s economy will expand 2.2% in the fiscal year starting in April, the government said on Thursday, as housing investment picks up following a devastating earthquake and as subsides spur consumption and capital expenditure.
The Cabinet Office issues economic forecasts in December for the following fiscal year, and its figures provide the basis for the government to compile its annual budget.
The government is expected to decide on its draft budget for fiscal 2012/13 in the coming days.
Japan warns of economic standstill
December 21, 2011--Japan’s central bank offered a bleaker view of the economy and the government warned of worsening business sentiment as exports slumped, adding to evidence of the pain Europe’s debt crisis is inflicting on global growth and Japan’s recovery prospects.
But in a sign Japan’s tattered finances leave it with little room for more fiscal stimulus, Rating and Investment Information (R&I) stripped the country of its AAA status, the first downgrade by a domestic credit rating agency.
Fukushima decommissioning to take 30-40 years
December 21, 2011--Japan said on Wednesday it aims to decommission the tsunami-stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant over 30-40 years, as it unveiled the next phase in its cleanup plan for the complex.
After months of efforts Japan said last week that the Fukushima reactors were in a state of cold shutdown, when water cooling them is stable below boiling point, and that radiation at the plant’s boundaries could now be kept at low levels.
