Australia & New Zealand

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• Australia's NAB to Raise Variable Home Loan Rate Thursday, 3 Jan 2008 | 10:48 PM ET

  National Australia Bank, Australia's top lender by assets, has taken the unusual decision to raise home loan rates out of step with a central bank rate move, in response to higher borrowing costs.

• Asian Stocks End Lower on Economic Concerns Thursday, 3 Jan 2008 | 5:12 AM ET

  Asian stock indexes finished lower across the board Thursday, with the exception of the Shanghai Composite Index, as investors were spooked by the surprise contraction in U.S. manufacturing, and the impact of record oil prices on global growth.

• Ukraine Billionaire Wins Control of Consolidated Thursday, 3 Jan 2008 | 1:58 AM ET

  1st paragraph of story should go here

• Australia's Centro Attracts Several Possible Bidders Wednesday, 2 Jan 2008 | 8:36 PM ET

  

  Australia's Centro Properties Group, which owns more than 700 U.S. shopping centers, has attracted several possible bidders for all or part of the debt-burdened company, including U.S. private equity funds.

• Asian Stocks Close Lower on US Worries Wednesday, 2 Jan 2008 | 4:20 AM ET

  Asian markets kicked off the new year under pressure on worries about a slowing global economy. But oil and gold prices continued to edge higher approaching record highs.

• Australia's Centro Opens Door to Suitors Tuesday, 1 Jan 2008 | 9:30 PM ET

  

  Centro Properties Group, Australia's second high-profile victim of a global credit crunch, said it was seeking expressions of interest from potential buyers for all or part of the business.

• Asian Stocks Close Higher, Pakistan Falls Monday, 31 Dec 2007 | 5:46 AM ET

  Asian stocks were mostly higher Monday in thin holiday trading, with most investors away to usher in the new year. But Pakistan's shares slid in its first reaction to the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto whose death last week plunged the country into one of its deepest crises.

• Asian Shares End Lower, Rattled by Bhutto Friday, 28 Dec 2007 | 6:18 AM ET

  

  Most Asian markets closed lower Friday  as investors were rattled by the assassination of Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, and data pointed to continuing economic weakness in the United States.

• Australia's RAMS Says Extends Funding Facilities Thursday, 27 Dec 2007 | 11:34 PM ET

  RAMS Home Loans Group Ltd, Australia's first high profile victim of the subprime mortgage crisis, said it had extended two funding facilities worth A$750 million ($658 million) that had been due to expire on Dec. 31.

• Asian Markets Close Mixed, Japan Ends Down Thursday, 27 Dec 2007 | 4:13 AM ET

  

  Asian closed mixed, with some boosted by resources companies such as BHP Billiton as oil and commodities prices firmed. But Tokyo closed down, staying on course to end the year as the world's worst performing major stock market.

• Asian Markets Are Mixed, Japan Closes Higher Wednesday, 26 Dec 2007 | 1:34 AM ET

  

  Asian stocks were mostly higher in the afternoon session Wednesday. Trade was thin as many investors were away for Christmas holidays. Japan closed higher be South Korea declined. Other Asian markets including Australia and Hong Kong were shut, and many markets in Europe will also be closed.

• Tokyo Stocks Hit Two-Week Closing High in Thin Trade Tuesday, 25 Dec 2007 | 1:32 AM ET

  

  Japanese stocks closed at their highest in nearly two weeks Tuesday as investors picked up recently pressured shares such as Sony, encouraged by a softening yen and after news from Merrill Lynch prompted a rally on Wall Street.

• Asian Markets Rise, Sydney and Seoul Close Stronger Monday, 24 Dec 2007 | 1:18 AM ET

  

  Asian markets rallied on the Christmas Eve Monday, lifted by technology and bank stocks as stronger-than-expected U.S. consumer spending calmed fears the world's top economy was heading into a recession.

• Babcock Ups Earnings Forecast Again, Shares Rise Sunday, 23 Dec 2007 | 11:20 PM ET

  Babcock & Brown, an Australian investment and advisory firm, raised its earnings per share growth forecast to at least 45 percent on Monday, boosting its shares as much as 5.5 percent.

• Asian Markets End Higher, Tech Lifts Friday, 21 Dec 2007 | 5:03 AM ET

  Asian markets closed higher across the board Friday, having got a lift from technology stocks and year-end program buying by funds. Most of the major indexes finished over 1 percent higher, while the Hang Seng gained 2.3 percent.

• Asian Markets End Mixed, China Gains Thursday, 20 Dec 2007 | 4:59 AM ET

  

  Asian markets closed mixed Thursday with Australia slipping into the red after initially rising in the morning and South Korea paring back gains to trade flat. But Chinese shares managed to move higher with property stocks on the advance.

• Asian Markets End Mixed, Rally Cools Wednesday, 19 Dec 2007 | 5:34 AM ET

  

  Asian stocks were mixed in the afternoon session Wednesday, as markets failed to sustain an earlier recovery. Japan shed 1 percent despite spending most of the session in positive territory. Australia also closed lower.

• Asian Markets Seesaw in Volatile Trading Tuesday, 18 Dec 2007 | 5:27 AM ET

  

  Asian stocks seesawed in volatile trade Tuesday with financial counters and exporters taking a roller-coaster ride.  Japan closed slightly lower though the market was well over 1 percent lower at one point. South Korea finished the session up 1.2 percent.

• Asian Markets End Lower on US Inflation Worries Monday, 17 Dec 2007 | 5:18 AM ET

  

  Asian markets were sharply lower at the end of trading Monday, with most of the benchmark indexes over 3 percent down at the close. Financial stocks sank as rising U.S. inflation lessened expectations for rate cuts in the world's biggest economy.

• Asian Markets End Lower on Credit Fears Friday, 14 Dec 2007 | 5:14 AM ET

  

  A credit ratings downgrade for U.S. banking giant Citigroup sent Asian financial stocks lower Friday, while the yen sagged after Japanese business sentiment dropped to two-year lows.