CHINA

China's stocks dropped the most in the month as increasing concern mount over companies damaged by the earthquake and inflation risks by reconstruction after-quake.

China Life Insurance Company Limited (China Life) said Monday that the company's total premium income increased to 128 billion Yuan ($18.3 billion) in the first four months this year. In the same period of 2007 the company's premium revenue of 89.4 billion Yuan.

Copper futures ended with losses on Monday as inventories in the London Metal Exchange rose the most in two months easing concerns that demand may outpace supplies.

China Unicom Ltd. announced Monday that the company increased new users by 1.5 million in April, bringing the total users up to 168.5 million by the end of last month. In March the new users increased by 1.63 million.

Crude oil soared to a new record high on Friday above $127 a barrel, after Goldman Sachs significantly increased its projections for oil prices while trader's feared demand for distillate fuels from China will increase next month.

BHP Billiton, the world's largest miner, rose to a record on Friday after a report that Chinese interests would like to make a joint bid with another investor to buy 9 percent of the mining company.

The death toll from Monday's earthquake has exceeded 19,509 in Sichuan Province, the provincial government said late Thursday.

As China statistics bureau said Thursday, China's fixed-asset investment jumped 25.7 percent in the first four months of this year, underscoring concerns that the economy may be overheating.

APP Pharmaceuticals Inc., a major supplier of Heparin, will increase prices of the treatment due to rising costs in raw material, testing and additional personnel costs, the company announced today.

CBS Corp. made a major push into the Internet world on Thursday, announcing that it was acquiring CNET Networks for about $1.8 billion, owner of numerous entertainment and information Web sites.

Shanghai Stock Exchange composite Index (SSE) gained 97.2 points, or 2.7 percent, to reach 3,657.4 on Wednesday. Shenzhen Stock Exchange component index gained 29.2 points, or 2.63 percent, to reach 1,139.1 percent.

Tokyo stocks continued to rise for the third-straight day Wednesday due to a weaker yen against U.S. dollar and rebounding Shanghai equities.

Copper prices fell on Wednesday as investors fear higher prices may weaken global demand and the dollar was gained, lowering the demand for commodities.

Crude oil prices rose on Tuesday to a new of $127 a barrel after Iran said it is reviewing a plan to cut output and renewed concerns that refiners are not satisfying demand of distillate fuels including heating oil.

Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it will invest $214.6 million to raise annual vehicle output capacity at a joint venture plant in north China.

India's biggest drug manufacturer Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. and Merck & Co. agree to develop new anti-infective products, the companies reported in a statement on Monday.

Copper futures rallied on Monday as the dollar fell rising demand of the red metal as a hedge against inflation and a strong earthquake in China made investors speculate whether production may be affected.

Shares if Chinese stocks listed in the U.S. fell on Monday after an earthquake in central China killed nearly 9,000 people.

Crude oil fell on Monday from a record over $126 a barrel as slumping crude imports from China concerned investors that recent high prices may be weighing on demand.

From the poorest of Africa to the United States and big business, a breakneck rally that could take oil to $200 a barrel is likely to inflict pain on everyone.

Copper fell on Friday near 2 percent as inventories in London and Shanghai showed large increases and investors speculate demand may be weakening.