INDIA

Consumer confidence is strongest in emerging Asia, Brazil and Australia, but weakened slightly in the United States in the fourth quarter as Americans worried about job security, a survey showed on Wednesday.

China Gold Association said the nation will surpass India as the biggest consumer as the precious metal's allure as a solid, tangible, intrinsically valuable store of wealth seems to be growing further in China. According to CGA, the estimated demand for gold in the country was 450 tons in 2009, up 13.8 percent from 395.6 tons in 2008.

Global cotton production in 2010/11 is forecast at 24.2 million tons up nearly 10%, according to International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). The production in China is forecsted at 7.7 mn tonnes in 2010/11, one million tons higher than in the current season. Most of the gain is expected to come from increased area in response to higher domestic prices.

India's Tata Motors (TAMO.BO) may consider launching its ultra-cheap Nano car in the United States in three years, its chairman said on Tuesday, following possible sales in Europe by the end of 2011.

Kraft Foods sweetened its 10.2 billion pound ($16.43 billion) hostile offer for Cadbury with cash, which may well be enough to land the British group, as long as rivals stay out of the race.

Dueling Autos in India; Threat to Walk Away; Japan Bank Raising Cash

Toyota Motor Co and Honda Motor Co launched new compact cars to tap the fast-growing and price-sensitive India market as they and other automakers seek to put a dire 2009 behind them.

Toyota Motor Co , seeking to draw a line under a dire 2009, is ramping up in India with the launch of a new low-cost compact car to tap the fast-growing market.

Asia stocks rose to a 17-month high on Tuesday as growing confidence about the prospects for the global economy drew investors to riskier assets and away from the dollar, which extended its weak start to the year.

Growing confidence about the global economy lifted Asian stocks to a fresh 17-month high on Tuesday as investors continued to be drawn to riskier assets, while the dollar stabilized after a weak start to the year.

Let's have a cup of tea is an offer that many can't resist in India.Meetings and discussions can't take place without this favourite beverage. But it is by no means unique to India, according to Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), it has become a global habit no matter the price. But in 2009, tea growers gained as production slumped due to bad weather in India, Sri Lanka and Kenya and tea prices zoomed to all time high.

Do you know among the commodities metals were the best performing ones in 2009? If not, remember that not only gold other metals also performed extremely well in 2009 riding on hopes for a global economic recovery and fears of runaway inflation.

Stocks climbed broadly on Monday after a report showed the manufacturing sector expanded for a fifth straight month, lifting confidence in the global economy as investors eye fourth quarter earnings.

Stocks climbed broadly on Monday after a report showed the manufacturing sector expanded for a fifth straight month, lifting confidence in the global economy as investors eye fourth quarter earnings.

Hyundai Motor Group, South Korea's top automaker, said on Monday it aimed to raise global sales volume by 17 percent in 2010 on an worldwide economic recovery and new models.

General Motors expects to sell 100,000 vehicles in 2010 in India, up 43 percent from 70,000 sold in 2009, its India head said on Monday.

Oil rose more than 2 percent to touch two-month highs over $81 a barrel on Monday as cold weather battered the United States and other big consumer regions, driving up demand for heating fuel.

U.S. stocks climbed in a commodities-fueled rally on Monday after data showed the manufacturing sector expanded for a fifth straight month, lifting confidence in a global economic recovery.

Factories in Asia stepped up production in December, with China's output growing at its fastest pace on record, suggesting economic activity is gathering pace in the region that is leading the global recovery.

India will introduce mobile number portability across the country by March 31, 2010, pushing back its introduction by up to 3 months in parts of the country, the government said in a statement on Thursday.

India plans to allow state-run power utility NTPC Ltd to sell around a tenth of its capacity at market-determined prices, which could boost its profit by up to 40 percent, the Economic Times reported on Thursday.