Bhaskar Prasad

India's inflation rose unexpectedly in April compared to last year denting prospects further loosening the monetary policy to regain the economic growth momentum.

Asian markets fell at week's end as Greece's inability to form a government, uninspiring Chinese industrial output growth and JPMorgan's trading losses affected investor sentiment.

Hong Kong's economy slowed down in the first quarter compared to the last quarter of the previous year as exports dipped with soft global demand.

The companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trading on Friday are: Pluristem Therapeutics Inc, Mechel OAO, Zynga Inc, JPMorgan Chase & Co, Citigroup Inc, Morgan Stanley and Apartment Investment and Management Co.

Asian markets fell on Friday as concerns surrounding Greece, weak industrial output growth in China and JP Morgan's trading loss dampened sentiments.

China's inflation rate slowed in April from the previous month, showing signs that the price pressure is gradually diminishing to make room for monetary easing.

The companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trade Thursday are: Aegon N.V., Banco Santander, Alpha Natural Resources, Cisco Systems, CGG Veritas, Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc and Unilever plc.

Consumer electronics and entertainment giant Sony Corp reported Thursday a record net loss for the fiscal year ended March but pinned hopes on a restructuring strategy to return to profit this year.

Asian markets fell Thursday as weak exports data from China and concerns surrounding Greece and Spain dampened sentiments.

China reported Thursday a rise in trade surplus to $18.4 billion in April from $5.35 billion in March amid continued weakness in exports caused by economic crises in overseas markets.

The companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trade Wednesday are Demand Media Inc, Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc, Fossil Inc, Banco Santander, EXCO Resources Inc, Ford Motor Company and Newmont Mining.

Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp said Wednesday that its net profit for the three months ending March 31 surged five times compared to a year earlier as the car market picked up in the US.

Asian markets fell Wednesday as concerns over the future of Greece in the Eurozone and the looming debt crisis rose.

Japanese technology conglomerate Toshiba Corp said Tuesday that its net profit for the three months ending March 31 declined 63 percent from a year earlier on a strong yen and weak global sales of digital products.

Myanmar can post six percent economic growth next year if the right reform steps are taken by the government, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said.

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp has lowered its full-year forecast due to a slowdown in demand for IT outsourcing.

Asian stock markets declined Monday after election results from Greece and France fueled concerns about Europe reviving the debt crisis.

Indonesia's economic growth slowed down in the first quarter compared to the last quarter as exports and investment remained weak due to soft global demand.

Oil prices fell Monday to add to the sharp decline in the previous session as French and Greek election results raised doubts about those countries' commitment to the austerity measures to sort out Eurozone debt crisis.

The companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trade Friday are: DigitalGlobe Inc, Linkedin Corporation, Veolia Environnement, Deutsche Bank, The Dow Chemical Company, Northstar Realty Finance Corp and Seadrill Ltd American International Group Inc.

Asian markets were down Friday as more negative outlook by European Central Bank president Mario Draghi and weaker-than-expected US Institute for Supply Management non-manufacturing report weighed on investor sentiments.

Hong Kong's Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd (0016.HK) said Friday that its former chairman Walter Kwok was arrested Thursday night by the Independent Commission Against Corruption in connection with corruption charges.

French bank BNP Paribas SA (BNP.FR) reported Friday 9.6 percent rise in profits in the first quarter from a year ago, boosted by the sale of more than half of its stake in real estate firm Klepierre.

Temasek Holdings, the Singapore state-owned investment group sold $2.48 billion of shares in Bank of China Ltd. and China Construction Bank Corporation as profit growth in banks is decreasing with tighter controls on lending in the country.

BMW, the world?s largest maker of luxury vehicles, reported Thursday 19 percent rise in earnings in first quarter compared to the same period last year.

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Thursday that China should allow its currency to increase in value against the dollar to support the reforms in the country's financial system.

India's manufacturing activity improved in April compared to previous month, according to the HSBC flash Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) released Wednesday.

Swiss banking giant UBS reported on Wednesday that its profit for the first quarter declined 54 percent from the same period last year after being affected by charges on its debt.

China?s manufacturing activity improved in April compared to March but continued to contract for the sixth straight month, according to the final HSBC flash Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) released Wednesday.