CHINA

Asian stocks rose on Thursday on higher-than-expected Chinese exports and assurances from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that the U.S. economic recovery was on solid footing, but European stocks were expected to open lower, tracking Wall Street's fall overnight.

Oil remained lower in Asian trade Thursday despite a positive Chinese data which shows increase in overall exports of the country. Light sweet crude for July was seen trading at $74.23 a barrel at 12.00 noon Singapore time while Brent crude was at $ 74.01 a barrel in London.

Gold prices pared some of its overnight losses in Asian trade Thursday but remained under pressure on firmer currencies and stocks. Gold for immediate delivery was seen trading at $1232.74 an ounce at 12.00 noon Singapore time while U.S. gold futures for August delivery was at $1235.17 an ounce.

New strategic brinkmanship by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK); a now-clear determination by the People's Republic of China (PRC) to more aggressively assert its territorial claims in regional waters; the near-collapse of Japanese strategic cohesion during 2010; and the increasing signs of US political caution in North-East Asia, all point to a period of strategic concern for the Republic of China, particularly in its maritime responsibilities.

Germany's economy ministry rejected a request for 1.1 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in loan guarantees for loss-making carmaker Opel.

A leading Senate critic of China's currency policy said a group of her colleagues were determined to push legislation allowing the Commerce Department to use anti-dumping and countervailing duty laws against China's exchange rate.

Stocks jumped on Wednesday, driving the Dow back above the psychologically important 10,000 mark, as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's positive comments about the economy and unofficial data on Chinese exports spurred hopes for a global recovery.

Wall Street advanced on Wednesday after unofficial data showed Chinese exports topped expectations, boosting hopes for a global recovery.

Wall Street was set for a higher open on Wednesday as Wall Street looked to build on gains in the prior session after unofficial data showed Chinese exports topped expectations, easing global recovery concerns.

Stock index futures rose on Wednesday as Wall Street looked to build on gains in the previous session after unofficial data showed Chinese exports blew past expectations, easing concerns about a global recovery.

Stock index futures were higher on Wednesday as Wall Street looked to build on gains in the previous session after unofficial data showed Chinese exports blew past expectations, easing concerns about a global recovery.

A third strike in four weeks hit Honda Motor Co's Chinese suppliers on Wednesday, fuelling concerns that unrest among workers in the world's manufacturing hub is spreading.

Stock index futures pointed to a mixed open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.39 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.26 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.36 percent at 0945 GMT.

Major Asian oil buyers including India and China bought comparatively less loads of West African oil in June. According to reports, Indian, Chinese Taiwanese and Indonesian end-users bought a total of 1.65 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude from the oil-exporting region in 52 full or part cargoes, down from 1.72 million bpd in 56 cargoes in May.

Europe's debt crisis could disrupt global trade, hurting demand for Asian exports and sending hot money into the region if policymakers fail to act swiftly and appropriately, a top IMF official said on Wednesday.

European shares pushed higher on Wednesday, tracking gains in most Asian equity markets, as news of strong Chinese exports sparked a tentative return of risk appetite while the euro stabilized on options demand.

Most Asian stock markets clawed back early losses on Wednesday and the euro stabilized as news of stronger-than-expected exports from China offset worries that Europe's debt problems will stifle demand for Asian goods.

What is your Prediction for Gold in 2010 and 2011 Many are projecting gold to perhaps double in the span of one to two years. I think this would only be the case under one or two very severe circumstances. The most prominent threats are that the euro is abandoned or substantially restructured or there are a series of prominent downgrades amongst the major economies.

The U.S. debt will top $13.6 trillion this year and climb to an estimated $19.6 trillion by 2015, according to a Treasury Department report to Congress.

European leaders are committed to ensuring the survival of the euro and have enough money to meet obligations of heavily indebted member countries, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Monday.

iPhone maker Foxconn International Holdings Ltd said it will seek higher prices from clients to help offset wage increases at a plant in southern China that has been hit by a series of suicides.