Brazilian Real Rises Versus Dollar Amid Release Of Primary Budget Surplus Figures [USD/BRL]

Brazilian Real Rises Versus Dollar Amid Release Of Primary Budget Surplus Figures [USD/BRL]
Brazil's central bank reported Friday morning that the nation's consolidated primary budget surplus rose to 6.82 billion reais ($3.87 billion) in November from 5.61 billion reais last year.

New Zealand Stocks Decline []
Friday, Wellington stocks were trading in negative terrain, tracking the overnight negative lead from Wall Street.

Market Recovers After Opening On Weak Note - Indian Commentary []
Friday, Indian shares opened lower, but recovered soon to trade in positive territory. At 10:18 a.m. IST, the Sensex was up 33 points at 20,349 and the broader Nifty was up 9 points at 6,090.

Japan Overall Retail Sales +1.6% On Year In Nov []
Retail sales in Japan were up 1.6 percent on year in November, according to data released Friday by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Midwest Businesses Expand But Housing Slump Accelerates; Dollar Down Versus Other Majors [EUR/USD]
According to just released data, US businesses in the Midwest expanded faster than expected in December. The Chicago PMI rose to 56.6 in December from 52.9 in November.

Negative Lead For KOSPI []
Stock markets around the world are expected to react badly to the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and South Korea's KOSPI is no exception. Following news of turmoil in Pakistan and other negative global cues, the KOSPI is seen headed to the downside Friday on the final trading day of the year.

Market Likely To Open Lower On Weak Global Cues - Indian Commentary []
Global cues are pointing towards a lower opening for the Indian market on Friday. Some degree of profit taking is also likely to set in following five consecutive sessions of gains.

Tight Range Seen For Malaysian Stocks []
The Malaysian stock market is expected to move in a tight range amidst light volume on the final trading day of the year when the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index opens for business on Monday. While the numbers have been skewed by light trade around the market holidays, the KLCI has managed to finish higher in six straight sessions, climbing by 43.48 points or 3.1 percent last week.

Japanese Market Plunges After Wall Street Falls On Bhutto's Death []
Friday, Tokyo shares were sharply lower in early trade as the assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto sent shockwaves through global financial markets. The U.S. stocks plunged overnight, with the Dow losing nearly 1.5%.