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*MSCI Asia ex- Japan rises 0.8 pct, Nikkei adds 0.5 pct. TOKYO, April 9- The yen fell to fresh multi-year lows and Japanese stocks extended gains on Tuesday as effects of the Bank of Japan's aggressive reflationary campaign reverberated through markets, while Asian equities drew support from a solid start to the U.S. quarterly earnings season.

SINGAPORE, April 9- London copper climbed on Tuesday after signs of growth revival in Germany pushed up the euro and buttressed the demand outlook for metals, while buying from top consumer China extended a steady albeit modest seasonal recovery. *The most-traded August copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange rose 1.18 percent to 54,960 yuan a tonne.

Penney shoppers: Meet the new boss. The struggling department store chain parted ways with Chief Executive Ron Johnson, who failed to win over shoppers and investors with his everyday-low-price strategy, and on Monday rehired Johnson's predecessor, former CEO Myron Ullman, to revive the company.

*Technical support seen near 85- to 86- cent range- broker. NEW YORK, April 4- ICE cotton fell on Thursday, as weekly U.S. government export data were not seen as strong enough to boost prices and losses across commodities markets weighed. The most-active May cotton contract on ICE Futures U.S. fell 0.89 cent, or 1 percent, to settle at 88.33 cents per pound.

*IRS to be paid $101.9 million. April 8- Ambac Financial Group Inc on Monday said it has reached a $101.9 million settlement of a dispute with the Internal Revenue Service, a key step in the bond insurer's effort to emerge from bankruptcy.

*Restart authorized about a year after field shutdown. RIO DE JANEIRO, April 8- Brazil's oil regulator, the ANP, said on Monday that it authorized Chevron Corp to restart output from an offshore oil field more than a year after a November 2011 spill forced the No. 2 U.S. oil company to stop Brazilian production.

*Dollar poised to break 100 yen level. *Euro shrugs off Portugal worry as Spain, Italy yields fall. NEW YORK, April 8- The yen fell to its lowest against the dollar in nearly four years on Monday and reached a three-year trough versus the euro after the Bank of Japan, in an attempt to eradicate persistent deflation, kicked off an aggressive program of monetary easing.

SINGAPORE, April 9- Gold fell for a second straight day on Tuesday as investors shifted their money into equities after U.S. stocks gained ahead of an earnings season that is expected to show modest growth. *Gold eased $2.33 an ounce to $1,570.76 by 0029 GMT.

April 8- Alcoa Inc, the largest U.S. aluminum producer, reported a higher quarterly profit on Monday thanks in part to strength at its raw materials segment, but lower-than-expected revenue and an uncertain outlook dragged down the company's share price.

Penney shoppers: Meet the new boss. Shares in J.C. Penney rose nearly 11 percent in afterhours trade after a CNBC report that Johnson was out, but then fell 7 percent after the company disclosed full details of the move, including Ullman's return.

April 8- Cisco Systems, IBM and Citrix have joined forces with other tech companies in a consortium to kickstart the corporate market for software-defined networking, aimed at making network management easier and cheaper.

April 8- Alcoa Inc, the largest U.S. aluminum producer, reported an increase in quarterly profit on Monday, helped in part by a stronger performance by its alumina and primary metals segments despite a tough market.

April 8- Ron Johnson is out as chief executive of the department store chain J.C. Penney, CNBC reported on Monday, citing a source. The company did not return calls for comment. J.C. Penney shares rose 10.8 percent in after-hours trading after the CNBC report.

*Alcoa earnings beat expectations, but revenue falls. *Consumer staples lead the day's advance, Monster Beverage jumps. NEW YORK, April 8- U.S. stocks ended a volatile session higher on Monday as investors looked ahead to an earnings season expected to show modest growth despite concerns about the economy's health.

April 8- Alcoa Inc, the largest U.S. aluminum producer, reported an increase in quarterly profit on Monday as performance in its alumina and primary metals segments improved despite a tough market. Net income rose to $149 million, or 13 cents a share, from $94 million, or 9 cents, a year earlier. Revenue slipped 3 percent to $5.8 billion.

*Alcoa to report after market closes, could set initial tone. *Earnings expected to grow, but may struggle to top forecasts. NEW YORK, April 8- U.S. stocks rose slightly in a volatile session on Monday as investors were reluctant to make large bets going into an earnings season that is expected to be lackluster.

*Predicts total volume will reach $5.1 billion in 2013. LONDON, April 8- Crowdfunding websites helped companies and individuals worldwide raise $2.7 billion from members of the public in 2012, an 81 percent increase on the previous year, data showed on Monday.

April 8- Virgin America did the best job of flying customers last year while United Airlines was the worst, though passengers experienced overall better performance, a study showed.

*Lufkin shares up 37.9 percent at $88.16; GE dips 0.2 percent. The deal values Lufkin at $88.50 per share, a premium of more than 38 percent to the stock's Friday close. Lufkin shares rose 37.9 percent to $88.16 in morning trading, while GE dipped 0.2 percent to $22.88.