CHINA

This morning the AUD opens higher at 0.8906 against the greenback regaining more than 1% from an intraday low of 0.8787 on Monday.

The stock market started February with a strong rally as commodities stocks surged on signs of global demand for raw materials and semiconductor stocks received a boost from an industry report.

President Barack Obama pledged on Monday to halve a record 2010 budget deficit by the end of his first term in office, but made tackling double-digit unemployment his immediate priority with a spending plan that risked public ire and a rough battle in Congress.

Stocks rose on Monday as better-than-expected data on the manufacturing sector and earnings from Exxon Mobil revived bullish sentiment after stocks closed out their worst month in almost a year.

Fifty-five nations accounting for almost 80 percent of world greenhouse gas emissions have set national goals for fighting climate change by a deadline in the Copenhagen Accord, the United Nations said on Monday.

Stocks rose on Monday as better-than-expected data on the manufacturing sector and earnings from Exxon Mobil reassured investors that economic growth is on track, after stocks suffered their worst month in almost a year.

(Corrects to show Morgan Stanley comment on Warner Chilcott in paragraph 11 refers to only one of the company's products)

Wall St rose on Monday after closing its worst month in almost a year as U.S. manufacturing expanded the most in six years and Exxon Mobil Corp beat earnings estimates.

Wall St rose on Monday after closing its worst month in almost a year as U.S. manufacturing expanded the most in six years and Exxon Mobil Corp beat earnings estimates.

President Barack Obama on Monday projected the budget deficit would peak at a fresh record in 2010 before easing as he pushes for fiscal responsibility while battling double-digit unemployment.

U.S. stocks rose on Monday, following three weeks of losses, on stronger-than-expected U.S. manufacturing data and results from Exxon Mobil Corp that beat Wall Street estimates.

Chinese state media blasted the United States on Monday for a planned $6.4 billion arms package for Taiwan, while a U.S. official said Washington was committed to helping the island defend itself.

China has begun moving at the margins to withdraw excess cash from the financial system, as a spike in lending in the first few weeks of the year prompted concerns that credit growth was getting out of hand.

U.S. stocks rose on Monday, following three weeks of losses, as data showed the U.S. manufacturing sector continued to expand in January and after better-than-expected results from Exxon Mobil Corp .

Global stock markets shook off declines early in the Asian session as commodities firms lead the rally.

Oil consolidated around $73 per barrel on Monday, stabilizing after three weeks of falls, with the outlook still clouded by concerns over the prospects for global growth and sluggish fuel demand.

Toyota Motor Corp said production of eight models involved in a safety recall would resume on February 8, as it detailed plans to fix 2.4 million vehicles and sought to salvage its reputation with a PR blitz.

President Barack Obama on Monday projected the budget deficit would soar to a fresh record in 2010, challenging his push for fiscal responsibility while driving to defeat double-digit unemployment.

China has ordered a further clampdown on excessive bank lending to ensure credit has not illegally entered the stock or property markets as two surveys on Monday showed the mounting challenges faced by policymakers.

Stock index futures rose on Monday after Wall Street ended January with its worst month in nearly a year as investors bet that data will show signs the U.S. economy continues to mend.

Stock index futures rose on Monday after closing their worst month in nearly a year and as investors digested President Barack Obama's budget plans and awaited earnings from Exxon Mobil Corp .