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Nov 06, 2024 اردو ► PRINT EDITION ► BR MARKETS ► Dollar to PKR ►
Print - 2006-11-11
Crop fears harden cotton prices

Crop fears harden cotton prices

Fears of a smaller cotton crop for the current season (2006-2007) have again inspired a steady stance in the cotton market this week. Some reports indicate that total output this year could be lower by a hefty half to one million bales (170 kgs) in Pakist
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
MGE wheat down

MGE wheat down

Sprthe Minneapolis Grain Exchange closed lower on Thursday as late declines in Chicago corn and wheat futures sparked profit-taking, traders said.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
New York cocoa ends steady

New York cocoa ends steady

US cocoa futures ended firm in quiet trade on Thursday, with dealers saying the market looked well-supported above $1,510, although adding $50 would be a test. NYBOT cocoa for December ended up $2 at $1,530 a tonne, after dealing between $1,513 and $1,538
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Historic opportunity exists to resolve IoK issue: Prime Minister

Historic opportunity exists to resolve IoK issue: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that a historic opportunity exists to resolve Kashmir issue in an acceptable manner for all concerned parties and emphasised the need for courage, magnanimity and flexibility for settlement of the decades-old dispute.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
New York coffee futures close near six-month high

New York coffee futures close near six-month high

Arabica coffee futures raced up to their highest levels in more then six months on Thursday and closed near those peaks as options-related fund and speculative buying set off automatic buy orders, traders said.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Historic opportunity exists to resolve IoK issue: Prime Minister

Historic opportunity exists to resolve IoK issue: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that a historic opportunity exists to resolve Kashmir issue in an acceptable manner for all concerned parties and emphasised the need for courage, magnanimity and flexibility for settlement of the decades-old dispute.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
India exports corn for first time in years

India exports corn for first time in years

India has struck its first corn export deal in many years, taking advantage of shrinking global supplies, which have lifted world prices of the grain to their highest level in a decade, a Singapore trader said on Thursday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Tokyo gold hits three-month high

Tokyo gold hits three-month high

Tokyo gold futures jumped more than 2 percent to a three-month high on Friday on strong technical signals and short-covering after the cash price rose sharply in New York.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Gold jumps in New York on weak dollar

Gold jumps in New York on weak dollar

Gold futures rallied 3 percent to a reach new two-month high on Thursday as investors bought on rising oil prices, a weak dollar and speculation that China could buy gold for its foreign currency reserves.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Gold matches two-month high

Gold matches two-month high

Gold matched a two-month high around $635 an ounce on Friday as the dollar weakened after China's central bank said it had a clear plan to diversify its $1 trillion in foreign exchange reserves.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Comex copper futures up

Comex copper futures up

Copper futures in New York settled higher on Thursday, extending a rebound from the previous session's slide to one-week lows, as speculative buying boosted values with a weak dollar and firmer energy prices lending support, sources said.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Oil holds firm at $61

Oil holds firm at $61

US crude oil futures held firm at $61 a barrel on Friday after surging over 2 percent a day ago, supported by an unexpectedly steep fall in US fuel stocks and the risk of further supply cuts from Opec.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
China's starch boom may swallow record corn crop

China's starch boom may swallow record corn crop

China's booming starch industry is raising fears of a squeeze in domestic corn supplies, despite a record harvest, which has prompted Beijing to restrict exports of the grain.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
CBOT rice falls

CBOT rice falls

Rough rice futures at the Chicago Board of Trade closed lower on Thursday as the government's bigger US rice production estimate issued before the open ignited speculative selling, traders said.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
New York sugar settles firm

New York sugar settles firm

Raw sugar futures in New York ended firm on Thursday as fund money boosted values and traders largely ignored a raised forecast for a world sugar surplus in 2006/07 from the International Sugar Organisation, sources said.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Soya lower, shadowing corn, after USDA

Soya lower, shadowing corn, after USDA

Soyabean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade closed lower on Thursday, pressured by the profit-taking setback in corn after the government released its monthly crop data, traders said.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
India fails to set date for lifting sugar export ban

India fails to set date for lifting sugar export ban

India's federal cabinet on Thursday discussed lifting a ban on sugar exports but did not set a date for such a move, a cabinet minister said. India is expected to produce record sugar output in the new season that began in October.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
USDA crop report on cotton

USDA crop report on cotton

The US Department of Agriculture released its monthly November production and supply/demand report on Thursday. The following are the key points for cotton: 2006/07 US crop - 21.30 million (480-lb) bales, from 20.66 million bales last month.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Malaysian palm oil down

Malaysian palm oil down

Malaysian crude palm oil futures closed lower on Friday, due to a decline in crude oil prices and as players took profit ahead of the weekend. Market-friendly data issued by the state-run Malaysian Palm Oil Board and cargo surveyors failed to lift prices.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
PlayStation 3 set for launch

PlayStation 3 set for launch

PlayStation 3 fans were preparing for a sleepless night ahead of Saturday's launch of Sony's hotly awaited new console but the hype has been tempered by fears of an over-reliance on recycled hits.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
BoJ keeps rhetoric: Japanese machinery orders drop

BoJ keeps rhetoric: Japanese machinery orders drop

Machinery orders from Japanese companies took an unexpected tumble in September, data showed on Friday, lifting bond prices and strengthening the view that the Bank of Japan will have to wait until early next year before raising interest rates.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Wal-Mart extends price cuts to small appliances

Wal-Mart extends price cuts to small appliances

Wal-Mart Stores Inc cut prices on small appliances including microwaves and coffee makers on Friday, the latest in a series of mark-downs aimed at luring customers during the vital holiday shopping period.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Trade rules may need change to curb warming: Mandelson

Trade rules may need change to curb warming: Mandelson

The rules of the international trade system may need to be altered to tackle climate change and ward off the economic devastation higher temperatures could bring, the European Union's trade chief said on Friday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
European ports business hurt by lack of berths

European ports business hurt by lack of berths

European port operators complained on Friday the continent's yachting industry was being held back by lack of berths and that red tape and taxes were slowing efforts to expand the places on offer.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Iran sells Iraq 2 million litres of winter fuel

Iran sells Iraq 2 million litres of winter fuel

Iran is to supply neighbouring Iraq with 2 million litres of oil products as winter fuel sold at a price related to published assessments basis the Gulf in a two-month contract, the semi-official Mehr news agency said on Friday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Millions more jobless expected in Chinese cities

Millions more jobless expected in Chinese cities

Employment pressure is building in China with an additional 50 million people expected to be hunting for a limited pool of jobs in cities by 2010, state media reported Friday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
French economy stagnates

French economy stagnates

The French economy stagnated in the third quarter, slowing far more sharply than expected from the second quarter's blistering pace of growth and spurring analysts to trim eurozone growth forecasts.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Indebted Eurotunnel signs freight deal

Indebted Eurotunnel signs freight deal

Anglo-French cross-Channel rail operator Eurotunnel signed a new freight contract on Friday as it works to keep its operations running despite a make-or-break debt restructuring plan that hangs in the balance.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
IMF faults itself on currency surveillance

IMF faults itself on currency surveillance

The International Monetary Fund, under pressure by shareholder governments to pay more attention to exchange rates of emerging economies like China, said on Thursday it needed to do more to analyse whether currencies are appropriately valued.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Russia and US strike WTO deal

Russia and US strike WTO deal

Russia and the United States agreed in principle on Friday on Moscow's bid to join the World Trade Organisation, marking a major breakthrough after 13 years of tortuous negotiations. The deal paves the way for presidents Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Russian agency may sue Shell Sakhalin group

Russian agency may sue Shell Sakhalin group

Russia may sue Royal Dutch Shell's Sakhalin group in international courts to claim billions of dollars in damages or even scrap the $22 billion production sharing deal, a Russian official said on Friday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Malaysia to provide aid for Laos, says Badawi

Malaysia to provide aid for Laos, says Badawi

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Friday said Malaysia will provide assistance to develop communist Laos through investments and human resource development. Abdullah said Malaysia and Laos, both part of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian (
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
IBM accelerates push into 3D virtual worlds

IBM accelerates push into 3D virtual worlds

IBM is ramping up its push into virtual worlds with an investment of roughly $10 million over the next 12 months, including an expanded presence within the popular 3D online universe Second Life.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Taiwan stocks finish firmer

Taiwan stocks finish firmer

Taiwan shares ended 0.32 percent higher on Friday as tech shares such as HTC and TSMC rose ahead of October sales results. The main TAIEX index gained 23.07 points to finish at 7,174.20, with the electronics sub-index rising 0.43 percent. The financial su
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Malaysian shares at nine-year high

Malaysian shares at nine-year high

Malaysian share prices closed up 0.23 percent on Friday at their highest levels in nine years on selective investor interest in blue chips, dealers said. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index closed the day 2.37 points higher at 1,022.30, off an intraday recor
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Hong Kong blue chips decline

Hong Kong blue chips decline

Hong Kong blue chips fell 0.3 percent on Friday as investors cashed in star performer China Mobile while H-shares closed at a record for a second straight day as investors bid up resource and financial stocks.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
US stocks plunge as drug shares fall

US stocks plunge as drug shares fall

US stocks fell on Thursday, led by a drop in the shares of big drug makers and health-care companies as investors worried about the uncertainty of the legislative agenda of a Democrat-controlled Congress.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
US Treasury prices slightly higher

US Treasury prices slightly higher

US government bond prices were slightly higher on Thursday after an auction of benchmark 10-year notes was met with modest demand. Traders will next look for direction to a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Friday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
US Treasury prices slightly higher

US Treasury prices slightly higher

US government bond prices were slightly higher on Thursday after an auction of benchmark 10-year notes was met with modest demand. Traders will next look for direction to a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Friday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Indian shares jump

Indian shares jump

Indian share prices closed up 1.11 percent at a record high on Friday on strong foreign fund buying in index heavyweights, led by optimism over sustained economic growth, dealers said. They said sentiment improved as India's industrial production output g
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Thai stock prices drop

Thai stock prices drop

Thai share prices closed 0.46 percent lower on Friday as investors locked in profits in the energy sector following five consecutive days of gains, dealers said. They said trading was sluggish as investors found few fresh leads, with sentiment downbeat du
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Jakarta shares rises

Jakarta shares rises

Indonesian share prices finished 0.28 percent on Friday higher at a new record finish, led by gains in select index heavyweights such as Telkom and Perusahaan Gas Negara, dealers said. They noted though there was some pressure in the broad market partly b
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Tokyo stocks tumble on machinery data

Tokyo stocks tumble on machinery data

The Nikkei booked its lowest close in more than a month on Friday, slipping 0.53 percent after Japanese machinery orders data came in weaker than expected and heightened concern about the outlook for the world's second-largest economy.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Singapore shares close flat

Singapore shares close flat

Singapore shares closed flat on Friday after investors consolidated their positions, dealers said. The Straits Times Index closed 0.28 points higher at 2,745.31 on volume of 1.43 billion shares worth 1.36 billion Singapore dollars (873 million US). Losing
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Philippines shares soar

Philippines shares soar

Philippines share prices rose 0.73 percent on Friday, extending gains in a market at nine-year highs on the back of growing confidence in the outlook for corporate profits and for the economy in general, dealers said.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Swiss franc rises

Swiss franc rises

The Swiss franc rose in early trade on Friday as markets eyed higher interest rates in Switzerland after a speech by a Swiss central banker, while comments abroad pushed the dollar lower.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Yuan hits fresh high

Yuan hits fresh high

The yuan hit its highest level since the July 2005 revaluation on Friday for the third straight day after remarks by China's central bank chief on diversifying the country's foreign exchange reserves depressed the dollar on global markets.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Dollar slides to two-month low

Dollar slides to two-month low

The dollar hit a two-month low against the euro and a six-week trough versus the Swiss franc on Friday, sliding for a second day after China's central bank chief said it has a clear plan to diversify its $1 trillion in foreign exchange reserves.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Dollar slides on China news

Dollar slides on China news

The dollar dropped to a two-month low against the euro on Thursday, weakened by soft data on US consumer sentiment and China's announcement that it had a clear plan to diversify its foreign exchange reserves.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Hong Kong dollar rises

Hong Kong dollar rises

The Hong Kong dollar strengthened on Friday as news of China's plans to diversify its foreign exchange reserves pressured the US dollar. The Hong Kong dollar rose to as high as 7.7830 to the US dollar before pulling back to 7.7837/39, but still stronger t
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Asian currencies higher

Asian currencies higher

Most Asian currencies rose against the dollar on Friday supported by news of China's plans to diversify its $1 trillion foreign exchange reserves and a firmer Japanese yen.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Australian dollar higher

Australian dollar higher

The Australian dollar nudged higher on Friday, recovering from a two-week low in offshore trade after the US dollar fell on comments from China's central bank chief that China was looking to diversify its reserves.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
England crash to big tour defeat

England crash to big tour defeat

Shaun Tait stormed into first Test calculations with a withering fast bowling performance as England succumbed to a 166-run defeat in their opening Australian Ashes tour match here Friday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Indian cricket chief accepts Ponting's apology

Indian cricket chief accepts Ponting's apology

India's cricket chief Sharad Pawar on Friday drew a line under the Champions Trophy podium controversy after accepting Australian skipper Ricky Ponting's telephone apology overnight. "Yes he called me (and apologised)," the federal minister and BCCI presi
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
China dumps champions from Asian Games squad

China dumps champions from Asian Games squad

China has omitted reigning singles world champions Zhang Yining and Wang Liqin from its Asian Games squad to blood new players, local media reported on Friday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Hardenne into semi-finals, Mauresmo beats Hingis

Hardenne into semi-finals, Mauresmo beats Hingis

Justine Henin-Hardenne secured a place in the semi-finals of the WTA Championships and remained on course to claim the year-end number one spot with a 6-4 6-4 win over Russia's Nadia Petrova on Thursday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
PCB to consider banned Salim Malik's appeal

PCB to consider banned Salim Malik's appeal

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is willing to consider any appeal made by former captain Salim Malik against the life ban imposed on him by a match-fixing tribunal six years ago, an official said on Friday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Conditions not ideal for first Test: Inzamam

Conditions not ideal for first Test: Inzamam

Doping bans on Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif and allegations of indiscipline made by an Indian security officer has not been ideal preparation for Pakistan's first Test against West Indies, captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said on Friday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Indonesia president defends controversial reform body

Indonesia president defends controversial reform body

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday defended his move to set up a body intended to boost his efforts to attract investment, reform the bureaucracy and fight corruption.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
EU lawmakers 'shocked and appalled' by conditions in Gaza

EU lawmakers 'shocked and appalled' by conditions in Gaza

European lawmakers said Thursday they were shocked and appalled by conditions in the Gaza Strip after a recent fact-finding mission there and called on Israel to stop violating human rights. The 10 members of the European Parliament said in a joint statem
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
French foreign minister to press Sudan on Darfur

French foreign minister to press Sudan on Darfur

France's foreign minister, who has repeatedly called on Khartoum to let UN peacekeepers into Darfur, will visit Sudan next week to speed up the search for a solution to the humanitarian crisis there, his ministry said.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
European Commission set to partially suspend Turkey talks: analysts

European Commission set to partially suspend Turkey talks: analysts

The European Commission is set to recommend a partial suspension of Turkey's EU membership talks, analysts said Wednesday, as there is little likelihood that Ankara will move swiftly on the key issue of Cyprus following a highly critical report.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Britain and Ireland will push ahead with Northern Irish deal

Britain and Ireland will push ahead with Northern Irish deal

Britain and Ireland said on Friday they would push ahead with plans to restore self-rule in Northern Ireland even though the province's two main parties gave only partial support to the deal by the deadline.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
British Muslims' contribution to society lauded

British Muslims' contribution to society lauded

The British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has lauded the contribution of British Muslims to every aspect of British life saying that they have helped to drive economy, invigorated public and political life and enriched the country's culture.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
China shares bird flu samples, denies new strain report

China shares bird flu samples, denies new strain report

China agreed on Friday to share long-sought bird flu virus samples with international health authorities, after rejecting scientists' findings that a new, vaccine-resistant strain was circulating in the country.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Al Qaeda gloats over Rumsfeld and US ponders change

Al Qaeda gloats over Rumsfeld and US ponders change

A purported audio recording by the leader of Iraq's al Qaeda wing gloated over the resignation of US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, as a top US general said the military was preparing to recommend strategy changes.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Britain facing 30 terrorism plots, says spy chief

Britain facing 30 terrorism plots, says spy chief

Extremists are plotting at least 30 major terrorist attacks in Britain and the threats may involve chemical and nuclear devices, the head of Britain's domestic spy agency said.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Khamenei calls US elections a victory for Iran

Khamenei calls US elections a victory for Iran

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday called US President George W. Bush's defeat in congressional elections a victory for Iran. Bush has accused Iran of trying to make a nuclear bomb, being a state sponsor of terrorism and stoking sectar
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
18 Taliban killed

18 Taliban killed

Afghan soldiers backed by Nato forces and warplanes killed 18 Taliban in a series of clashes in south-eastern Afghanistan, the alliance said Friday. Three Nato soldiers, three Afghan troops and an interpreter were also wounded in the fighting in Paktika p
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Eleven nations feed Somali war build-up: experts

Eleven nations feed Somali war build-up: experts

Militant groups and 11 countries are funnelling the military aid needed for a full-scale war into Somalia, widening the threat of conflict into the Horn of Africa and beyond, sources said a United Nations report will say.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Iran could review IAEA ties over UN draft: Larijani

Iran could review IAEA ties over UN draft: Larijani

Iran will review relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) if the UN Security Council adopts a European draft resolution imposing sanctions, Tehran's nuclear negotiator said on Friday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Indian rupee ends weaker

Indian rupee ends weaker

The Indian rupee ended weaker on Friday after falling sharply from a near-eight-month high as state-run banks bought dollars on a sustained basis in suspected intervention on behalf of the central bank, dealers said.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Pound hits 1-1/2-year high

Pound hits 1-1/2-year high

Sterling rose to 1-1/2 year highs against the dollar on Friday, as investors ditched the US currency after China's central bank chief said the bank would diversify its $1 trillion foreign exchange reserves.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Dollar falls versus euro

Dollar falls versus euro

The dollar hit fresh 2-1/2 month lows against the euro and an 18-month low against sterling on Friday after further comments from China's central bank chief that the bank is looking to diversify its trillion dollar currency reserves.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Norway aid agency leaves Darfur

Norway aid agency leaves Darfur

Sudanese government obstruction has forced the Norwegian Refugee Council to close its Darfur operation providing humanitarian relief to 300,000 war victims, the aid agency said on Friday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Tamil MP shot dead; army sinks two suicide boats

Tamil MP shot dead; army sinks two suicide boats

Sri Lanka's military said it sank two Tamil Tiger suicide boats in a new clash on Friday and a pro-rebel MP was assassinated in the capital, underlining the escalation of a two-decade civil war in the island republic.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
West delays Kosovo decision due to Serbia elections

West delays Kosovo decision due to Serbia elections

The United Nations announced on Friday it would postpone a decision on the future status of Serbia's breakaway Kosovo province, hours after Serbia said it would hold an early general election in January.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Poll fraud accusations raise Congo tensions

Poll fraud accusations raise Congo tensions

Accusations of serious fraud from one camp in Congo's historic elections are raising tensions as peacekeepers try to avoid further violence, diplomats and observers said on Friday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Bangladesh president slammed over constitution

Bangladesh president slammed over constitution

A frontrunner in the race to become Bangladesh's next prime minister says the president has misinterpreted the constitution, sparking a new row in the run-up to January's general election.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Senate race reveals regional divide in Virginia

Senate race reveals regional divide in Virginia

More than 140 years after the Civil War raged across its tobacco fields, Virginia finds itself in a new north-south conflict pitting its northern suburbs against the rest of the state.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Hispanic voters help Democrats win

Hispanic voters help Democrats win

Hispanic voters irked by the Republican hard line on immigration policy turned out in force and helped Democrats win in US congressional elections, according to exit polls and analysts.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Palestinian Prime Minister hints he will step aside

Palestinian Prime Minister hints he will step aside

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh hinted on Friday he would step aside and not head a unity government Hamas is trying to forge with the Fatah faction as a way to lift a Western embargo.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Divisions on UN post: Bush vows to work with Democrats

Divisions on UN post: Bush vows to work with Democrats

US President George W. Bush pledged on Friday to cooperate with the new Democratic-controlled Senate even as he pressed ahead with a divisive bid to get John Bolton confirmed as UN ambassador.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Bond market sails through $6.44 billion supply rush

Bond market sails through $6.44 billion supply rush

The market absorbed 5 billion euros ($6.44 billion) worth of new bonds from French utility Veolia, Britain's Imperial Tobacco and Canadian train and airplane maker Bombardier on Friday, as the companies capitalised on strong demand.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Bond market sails through $6.44 billion supply rush

Bond market sails through $6.44 billion supply rush

The market absorbed 5 billion euros ($6.44 billion) worth of new bonds from French utility Veolia, Britain's Imperial Tobacco and Canadian train and airplane maker Bombardier on Friday, as the companies capitalised on strong demand.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
US Stocks: Friday's late afternoon trade

US Stocks: Friday's late afternoon trade

US stocks were flat on Friday as investors worried that Walt Disney Co may struggle to sustain earnings momentum, overshadowing a drop in crude oil prices and AIG's strong profit.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Chinese shares down

Chinese shares down

Chinese shares ended down 0.69 percent in heavy, volatile trade on Friday as airline stocks dived because of higher oil prices, but the strong yuan kept banking shares firm.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Seoul shares retreat

Seoul shares retreat

Seoul shares dipped from six-month highs to fall 0.3 percent on Friday, after Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) announced a profit plunge, while investors locked in gains in outperforming exporters as the won hit its highest since May.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
UK's top share index falls

UK's top share index falls

Britain's FTSE 100 index ended down on Friday as falling metals prices hit mining stocks and pharmaceutical companies suffered continued fallout from the US midterm election result. Despite persistent take-over speculation, analysts said equity indices ma
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Indonesia extends rice import deadline

Indonesia extends rice import deadline

Indonesian's trade ministry has extended a delivery deadline for 210,000 tonnes of rice imports from Vietnam to December 15 from November 15 due to concerns over bad weather, state logistics agency Bulog said on Friday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Turkish 2006 gold imports to fall

Turkish 2006 gold imports to fall

Turkey's year-end gold imports, a bellwether for its massive jewellery export industry, will fall far below last year's record, despite an expected November recovery, Istanbul Gold Bourse president Vahdettin Ertas said.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Strong diamond demand expected at Christmas

Strong diamond demand expected at Christmas

The Christmas buying season for diamond jewellery is expected to be healthy and should help clear a backlog of rough gems that put a damper on the sector this year, an industry official said on Friday.
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
Oil falls below $60 as inventories rise

Oil falls below $60 as inventories rise

Oil fell over 2 percent to below $60 a barrel on Friday as the International Energy Agency reported a sharp rise in energy stocks in top consuming nations and forecast a decline in the world's need for Opec crude. US crude settled down $1.57 to $59.59 a b
Published 11 Nov, 2006 12:00am
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