Nikkei

During early Wednesday trading in Asia, the Japanese unit lost ground across the board as Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index soared to a new 18-month high, prompting investors to unwind yen long positions on the final day of Japan's fiscal year. The yen thus plummeted to near an 18-month low against the Canadian dollar, 3-month low against the US dollar, 2- 1/2 -month low against the Aussie, 10-week low against the kiwi and the franc and more than 5-week low against the pound.

Stocks posted modest gains on light volume Thursday, buoyed by data reports showing a fall in initial jobless claims to their lowest level since September 2008 and a rise in durable goods orders.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average recently advanced 42 points, or 0.4%, to 10,509. The S&P 500 rose 4 points, or 0.4%, to 1125, as Nasdaq added 13 points, or 0.6%, to 2282. A positive close for the Dow would have the blue-chip index advancing in five straight sessions.

Asian stocks fell, led by banks and Japanese automakers, amid capital-raising concerns and as the dollar slumped to a 14-year low against the yen.
Bank of China Ltd. which was looking for options for replenishing capital, dropped 2.9 percent in Hong Kong. Asahi Glass Co. slumped 7.9 percent on plans to sell convertible bonds. investment group PT Bakrie & Brothers, which said two days ago it will sell bonds, slid 8 percent in Jakarta. Honda Motor Co. fall down 1.1 percent on concern the stronger yen will hurt the value of U.S. revenue.

Asian stocks fell, led by banks and Japanese automakers, amid capital-raising concerns and as the dollar slumped to a 14-year low against the yen.
Bank of China Ltd. which was looking for options for replenishing capital, dropped 2.9 percent in Hong Kong. Asahi Glass Co. slumped 7.9 percent on plans to sell convertible bonds. investment group PT Bakrie & Brothers, which said two days ago it will sell bonds, slid 8 percent in Jakarta. Honda Motor Co. fall down 1.1 percent on concern the stronger yen will hurt the value of U.S. revenue.