⇒ Asian stocks rose as Japanese exporters rallied after the nation’s shipments increased and the yen weakened ahead of the conclusion of a Federal Reserve policy meeting. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.4 percent to 132.29 as 12:33 p.m. in Tokyo, paring gains of as much as 1 percent – Source: Bloomberg

⇒ Asian stocks dropped, with the regional benchmark index heading for its first decline in three days, as Chinese developers fell on concern gains in home prices will limit scope for monetary easing. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 0.3 percent to 132.02 as of 12:43 p.m. in Tokyo, reversing earlier gains of as much as 0.3 percent. The measure declined 1.8 percent this month through yesterday amid concern central banks are losing appetite for more economic stimulus – Source: Bloomberg

⇒ U.S. stocks fell for the week, sending benchmark indexes lower for the third time in four weeks, as investors speculated whether the Federal Reserve will signal a reduction of stimulus efforts after its next meeting. Financials fell the most out of 10 groups in the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index, declining 2.1 percent. The SandP 500 lost 1 percent to 1,626.73 for the week. The benchmark equity gauge declined for four out of the five days, trimming its gains for the year to 14 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased 177.94 points, or 1.2 percent, to 15,070.18 – Source: Bloomberg

⇒ Asian stocks fell, extending a rout that wiped out about $400 billion from the value of global equities yesterday, as Japanese machinery orders declined more than expected and concern grew that central banks from Tokyo to Washington are increasingly reluctant to add stimulus. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped 0.8 percent to 130.54 as of 12:21 p.m. in Tokyo. Markets in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines are closed for holidays – Source: Bloomberg

⇒ Asian stocks fell, led by Japanese shares, after the Bank of Japan kept its policy unchanged and the yen jumped. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped 0.4 percent to 131.23 as of 12:44 p.m. in Tokyo after rising as much as 0.4 percent. The measure gained 1.1 percent yesterday, the biggest gain since May 20 – Source: Bloomberg

⇒ U.S. stocks rose, giving the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index its best two-day rally since January, after better-than-forecast growth in employment indicated the economy continues to expand. The S and P 500 (SPX) jumped 1.3 percent to 1,643.38 at 4 p.m. in New York. The index rallied 2.1 percent in the past two days to finish the week 0.8 percent higher. The Dow jumped 207.50 points, or 1.4 percent, to 15,248.12. More than 6.4 billion shares traded hands on U.S. exchanges today, in line with the three-month average – Source: Bloomberg

⇒ Asian shares failed to capitalize on an overnight gain in Wall Street as investors sought to square their positions before the payrolls data that may shed clues over whether the Fed could start tapering its stimulus program in coming weeks. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.6 percent to its lowest since late November – Source: Reuters

⇒ Asian stocks fell, with the regional benchmark index heading to a four-month low, after U.S. jobs and factory data missed estimates and investors speculated whether the Federal Reserve will scale back bond purchases. Japanese shares swung between gains and losses. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slid 0.7 percent to 131.37 as of 12:08 p.m. in Tokyo. More than three shares fell for each that rose on the gauge, which is heading for the lowest close since Jan. 28. The measure fell 8.3 percent through yesterday from this year’s high on May 20 – Source: Bloomberg

⇒ Asian shares slipped to their lowest this year on Wednesday as uncertainty over when the U.S. Federal Reserve would begin scaling down its massive stimulus program fanned worries about funds flowing out of the region. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slid as much as 0.8 percent to a six-month low, after snapping a four-day losing streak on Tuesday – Source: Reuters

⇒ Asian shares recovered from their lowest in about six months but were capped on Tuesday as the latest U.S. factory data kept the outlook for the U.S. Federal Reserve’s stimulus program unclear, with investors waiting for a more important jobs report later in the week. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan were little changed after dropping to its lowest in nearly six months and falling for a fourth straight day on Monday – Source: Reuters