JAPAN

A Japanese securities joint venture between Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group <8306.T> and Morgan Stanley said it will report a net loss of 145 billion yen ($1.7 billion) for the year ended March due to trading losses.

Real gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the United States will reaccelerate, and reach 3.5–4 percent in the second half of this year, IHS Global Insight said in its April World Flash report.

Japan's Sharp Corp said on Thursday it would start production of small display panels for use in smartphones at an existing TV panel plant this year, but declined to comment on prospects for an additional line at a disused factory.

Nokia investors concerned about dwindling market share are anxious for better news on the tie-up with Microsoft and details of cost cuts when the handset maker posts quarterly figures on Thursday.

Japan's economy will slow significantly this year after last month's devastating earthquake and tsunami, with the government needing to cut spending from other programs to rebuild the country's battered northeast coast and to ensure faster growth next year, the OECD said on Thursday.

The U.S. dollar slid to a three-year low against a basket of major currencies on Thursday, a move which could see it test record lows, while Asian stocks jumped as investors scrambled for higher-yielding assets, particularly in emerging markets.

McDonald's power to raise prices as food and fuel costs climb will be in focus on Thursday when the world's biggest hamburger chain reports quarterly results.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) released new video, where robots are being deployed at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in order to measure radiation levels and other conditions after the recent earthquake in Japan.

On Wednesday, April 20, 2011, the IAEA provided the following information on the current status of nuclear safety in Japan

The 20-kilometer evacuation zone around the crippled Fukushima nuclear reactor complex has been declared a no-entry zone by the Japanese government, stating that the 'plant has not been stable'.

The U.S. dollar slid to a 3-year low against a basket of major currencies and Asian stocks jumped to a 3-year high on Thursday, as investors scrambled to get in front of upward momentum in higher-yielding assets, particularly in emerging markets.

Wireless chip maker Qualcomm Inc posted better than expected quarterly results and raised its full-year financial targets on improving demand for advanced phones, sending its shares up almost 5 percent.

The U.S. dollar slid to a 2-1/2-year low against a basket of major currencies and Asian stocks were poised to hit a 3-year high on Thursday, as investors scrambled to get in front of upward momentum in higher-yielding assets, particularly in emerging markets.

Western Digital Corp posted lower third-quarter results as higher sales of tablet devices led to lower demand for its hard disk drive from PC makers, and forecast fourth-quarter adjusted profit below Wall Street view.

There is a risk that Nissan Motor Co's <7201.T> U.S. market share, which has been on the rise, may fall due to a lack of auto parts from Japan, North American Chairman Carlos Tavares said on Wednesday.

Nokia investors concerned about dwindling market share are anxious for better news on the tie-up with Microsoft and details of cost cuts when the handset maker posts quarterly figures on Thursday.

Apple Inc blew past Wall Street expectations for its fiscal second quarter, fueled by solid demand for iPhones, sending its shares up 3 percent after hours.

Apple posted record second quarter profits on Wednesday, but sales of its iPad tablet took a hit.

Apple Inc's quarterly results again smashed Wall Street's expectations, fueled by record iPhone and Mac sales, offsetting lower-than-expected sales of its iPad tablet computer.

Wireless chip maker Qualcomm Inc posted better than expected quarterly results and raised its full-year financial targets on improving demand for advanced phones, sending its shares up almost 5 percent.

Apple Inc is expected to report another spectacular quarter on Wednesday, tempered by growing caution over how supply constraints will squeeze margins and restrain iPhone and iPad sales.