JAPAN

Asian shares fell on Wednesday after a dip in U.S. consumer confidence revived worries about the pace of economic upturn, while the Australian dollar eased as inflation data made investors reduce their bets on an aggressive rate rise.

Global consumer confidence is rebounding, and in the United States has risen for the first time since 2007, amid signs the world economy is picking up although spending is still restrained, a survey showed on Wednesday.

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating possible violations of antitrust law in the optical disc drive industry, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

Japan's Honda Motor Co exuded optimism while Germany's Daimler AG spread gloom about the outlook for car markets on Tuesday, highlighting the patchy nature of any post-crisis rebound.

Japanese banks Sumitomo Trust and Chuo Mitsui Trust Holdings are in merger talks, two sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday, bringing together two struggling trust banks to better compete in Japan's lucrative asset management industry.

Japan's Honda Motor Co exuded optimism while Germany's Daimler AG spread gloom about the outlook for car markets on Tuesday, highlighting the patchy nature of any post-crisis rebound.

Japan's Nikkei average lost 1.5 percent on Tuesday, its biggest one-day percentage fall in three weeks, as trading houses fell after oil slid and Astellas Pharma (4503.T) was hurt by a brokerage downgrade. Blue-chip exporters such as Honda Motor Co (7267.T) also dragged on the market after U.S. stocks fell on chances that lawmakers may let a federal home buyer tax credit expire, raising fears the U.S. housing industry may lose a crucial incentive that has spurred hopes of stabilisation in recent...

Stock index futures pointed to a mixed open on Wall Street on Tuesday, following a selloff in the previous session, as investors braced for more corporate results and key data on consumer sentiment.

Honda Motor surprised investors with a near tripling of its annual profit forecasts, bumping it further ahead of Japanese rivals thanks to a dominant motorcycle business and line-up heavy in small cars.

Emerging market and Japanese shares fell sharply on Tuesday after an overnight sell off on Wall Street, but the retreat failed to boost the dollar which fell after the previous sessions' gains.

Emerging market and Japanese shares fell sharply on Tuesday after an overnight sell off on Wall Street, but the retreat failed to boost the battered dollar.

Asian shares fell on Tuesday as investors worried that an eventual withdrawal of economic support measures could undermine global recovery while the dollar gave up early gains as short-covering receded.

Asian shares followed Wall Street lower on Tuesday with resources stocks under pressure as the price of oil stayed below $79 and with investors growing increasingly worried about the recovery of the world economy.

Nintendo Co plans to launch a new version of its DSi hand-held videogame player with a larger screen in Japan as early as this year to kick-start sluggish demand, the Nikkei business daily said on Tuesday.

Nintendo Co plans to launch a new version of its DSi hand-held videogame player with a larger screen in Japan as early this year, the Nikkei business daily reported on Tuesday.

French tire manufacturer Michelin SA said it still aims to generate positive free cash flow in the second half as third-quarter sales fell 10.9 percent, narrowly beating forecasts.

When it comes to borrowing trillions of dollars, it helps to have a golden reputation, a steady income stream, and plenty of rich, trusting friends.

Poland will soon sign a deal to sell a total 40 million euros ($60 million) of surplus greenhouse gas emission rights to Spain and Ireland, the first such government-to-government deal under the Kyoto Protocol, its environment minister said.

Specialty glass maker Corning Inc posted better-than-expected quarterly profit on stronger demand for glass for flat screen televisions, and said it expected that market to grow by 15 percent in 2010.

(Corrects paragraph 4 to say inventory adjustments, rather than inventory building and drops reference to rates)

Shares in Japan and South Korea rose on Monday, with Seoul lifted by strong economic growth data, while the dollar slid after a Chinese article said Beijing should raise its euro and yen holdings in its reserves.