CHINA

U.S. Treasury debt prices slipped on Monday, but volume was scant and analysts said the day's market action would be driven mostly by the stock market. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which had fallen to 2.93 percent by Friday's close as stocks suffered their worst one-day drop since June, was trading at 2.95 percent, while its price was off by 6/32.

Oil jumped more than $1 on Monday, lifted above $77 per barrel by equities markets after U.S. stocks opened higher on Wall Street. The move, supported by early signs of improving oil demand, put oil on track to break three straight days of lower settlements on concerns about slowing economic recovery and gloomy consumer sentiment.

Oil prices slipped below $76 a barrel on Monday as investors weighed a sharp drop in U.S. consumer sentiment against early signs of improved oil demand. Analysts said oil prices were moving in a range around $75 per barrel with ample support due to large drawdowns in U.S. crude oil stocks over the past three weeks.

China's main state-run television station has accused the country's top internet search engine Baidu Inc of directing users to websites that sell counterfeit drugs, the People's Daily reported on Monday.

Oil prices fell below $76 a barrel on Monday, extending the previous session's decline, on concern about the U.S. economic outlook after data showed consumer sentiment fell to a near one-year low. News that the IMF and European Union has suspended a review of Hungary's funding program at the weekend has also ignited fresh eurozone jitters, as the country will not have access to remaining funds in its $25.1 billion loan package set up in 2008 until the review is concluded.

With open interest in cardamom futures surging, rumors of a ban on the contract also started circulating until Forward Markets Commission clarified that there would be no ban on cardamom futures.

China's exports are expected to grow about 16.3 percent year-on-year in the second half, with full year growth estimated at around 24.5 percent, the China Securities Journal said on Monday, citing the country's State Information Center.

(Corrects time period to H2 in headline)

China's exports are expected to grow about 16.3 percent year-on-year in the second half, with full year growth estimated at around 24.5 percent, the China Securities Journal said on Monday, citing the country's State Information Center.

China should cut its holdings of U.S. Treasury securities when market demand is strong, a prominent economist said in remarks published on Monday.

The Australian Dollar once again retreated during Friday evening's trade as concerns about the global economic recovery emerged and equity markets headed down in Europe and the US.

Premier Wen Jiabao said China's economy was responding appropriately to its stable policies, adding relatively fast growth would help create jobs and boost domestic demand, the Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday.

Ford Motor and its partly-owned Jiangling Motors Corp broke ground on Sunday on a $300 million vehicle plant in central China as the partners speed expansion in the world's largest auto market.

A drop in consumer confidence in Europe amid worries about the region's debt crisis is holding back a recovery in global consumer sentiment and weighing on the broader economic outlook, a survey showed on Sunday.

Higher taxes on property transactions would do more than a property tax to curb speculation, an influential Chinese policy maker said in an editorial published on Saturday, in which he advocated maintaining current cooling measures in the second half.

Google Inc is pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into new businesses, but Wall Street is nervous about the ultimate payoff.

Daimler pledged to raise its 2010 earnings forecast later this month after unveiling a strong preliminary second-quarter figures driven by excellent results at its Mercedes-Benz luxury car brand.

Google Inc missed Wall Street's quarterly profit estimates for the first time in two years after a spike in expenses offset a 24 percent revenue jump, but it vowed to keep investing in new businesses to drive long-term growth.

Agricultural Bank of China's $19.3 billion IPO limped across the finish line on Friday after a three-month sprint, its modest Hong Kong debut reflecting concerns over valuations and investor cautiousness.

Agricultural Bank of China is confident that its 2010 net profit will exceed its previously announced target after its massive share offering, a senior executive at the country's third-biggest bank said.

Amid slowing down economic growth in the country, the Chinese iron ore imports may further get a dent as the Indian government is reported to be considering a ban on iron ore exports so as to safeguard its domestic industry. In a latest statement from the steel secretary, Atul Chaturvedi, it was proposed that a ban should be imposed on exports of iron ore so as to preserve the non-renewable energy resource for local industry.