CHINA

H.J. Heinz Co raised its 2010 earnings forecast, helped by strength in emerging markets, while U.S. foodmaker Campbell Soup Co cut its sales forecast as frugal U.S. consumers shunned ready-to-eat soup.

Hewlett-Packard Co posted better-than-expected results on strong server and personal computer sales and a resurgence in its printing business, and the company raised its full-year outlook.

Hewlett-Packard Co posted better-than-expected results on strong server and personal computer sales and a resurgence in its printing business, and the company raised its full-year outlook.

Stronger-than-expected corporate results and upbeat economic data drove U.S. stocks higher on Wednesday as they fed expectations the recovery will bolster corporate profits.

Beijing is likely to let its currency begin rising in value again this year in response to growing pressures at home and abroad, two U.S. private sector specialists on China said on Wednesday.

The massive manufacturing complex in the South China city of Longhua resembles an industrial fortress. To enter the facility, workers swipe security cards at the gate. Guards check the occupants of each vehicle with fingerprint recognition scanners.

The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Nimitz sailed into Hong Kong on schedule on Wednesday despite a Chinese pledge to suspend military exchanges with the United States after its announced arms sales to Taiwan.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wednesday, boosted by strong results from farm equipment maker Deere & Co, as investors awaited data on the housing market and industrial production.

Energy major Reliance Industries may be forced to raise its offer for LyondellBasell or abandon its bid all together after the target settled a dispute with creditors.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wednesday, the day after it posted its biggest daily percentage gain in three months, as investors awaited data on the housing market and industrial production.

Investors have not yet given up on the 11-month-old world markets recovery and there is little evidence so far this year of a retreat to safe-haven bunkers in the face of mini-shocks from Greek debts, China's monetary tightening and U.S. regulatory threats.

In the hard, exhaust-choked reality of his days trawling Longhua's clogged roads, taxi driver Zhang Bo's ambition to buy a small flat for his young family has slipped out of reach for now.

The smartphone market will continue to boom this year as handset vendors roll out new, cheaper models and cut prices of the older phones -- making them more attractive to a mass-market audience.

Asian shares leapt to a three-week high on Wednesday, powered by financial and resource shares after investors bought commodities on a weaker dollar, while Hong Kong shares shrugged off China's latest move to temper robust lending.

In the hard, exhaust-choked reality of his days trawling Longhua's clogged roads, taxi driver Zhang Bo's ambition to buy a small flat for his young family has slipped out of reach for now.

The release of the RBA board minutes saw a fairly muted reaction initially on the AUD/USD as it drifted around the 0.8890 level before popping through the 89 cents in Asian afternoon trade.

U.S. stocks posted their biggest daily percentage gain in three months on Tuesday after strong revenue from drugmaker Merck and regional manufacturing data instilled confidence in the economic outlook.

In a relatively quiet day with little new developments from China or Europe, investors have shifted into riskier assets.

A New York state manufacturing gauge published on Tuesday hit its highest level since October this month, while sentiment among home builders rose more than expected, signaling continued improvement in the U.S. economy.

A regional U.S. manufacturing gauge published Monday hit its highest level since October, but also suggested a rebound in that sector might run out of momentum.

Global oil prices recovered in European trade Tuesday mainly after the dollar dropped, reducing the appeal of commodities as an alternative investment. Light sweet crude for March delivery was seen trading at $75.34 a barrel at 4.00 p.m Indian time while Brent crude was at $73.95 a barrel at the same time. Crude oil advanced as the euro strengthened against the dollar, reducing the appeal of commodities as an alternative investment.