Cement stocks fell after the government agency ordered an investigation into the business practices of the largest eighteen cement companies. India cement plunged 9% to 204 rupees followed by 5% decline in Ambuja Cements, 3.8% loss to 1,075 rupees in ACC, and 1% to 2, 990 decreases in Grasim.

Gainers

Indian Tobacco Corporation known as ITC jumped 8.6% to 165.30 rupees on the news that the company is planning to sell consumer products through a network of kiosks and supermarket to stem the impact of higher taxes on cigarettes. The company is scheduled to report earnings on July 27th. Target price revision by CLSA brokerage group to 185 rupees contributed the firmness in the stock.

Hindustan Unilever edged 1% higher to 203 rupees on the speculation that the company may sell its vast real estate holdings in Mumbai or develop its property in Bangalore.

Ballarpur Industries, largest paper company in India, jumped 3.6% on the news that the company is looking to restructure and may buyback up to 40% of its holding.


8:00AM New York, 8:00PM Hong Kong – Shanghai index climbs to a record and Hong Kong closed a fraction lower.

Asian markets decline following sharp declines in Europe and America in the overnight trading. Philippines led the region with a loss of 1.6% followed by 1.2% decline in Australia, 0.8% decrease in Japan, and 0.6% fall in India. Hong Kong edged 0.5% lower but Shanghai advanced 2.7%.

In Hong Kong Hang Seng Index lost 110.7 to close at 23,362.18 and CSI 300 Index in Shanghai closed up 2.3% to 4,255.46 and Shanghai Composite Index jumped 2.7% to 4,323.97.

Airlines stocks soared on the earnings news. China Southern Airlines surged 9%, Hainan airlines jumped 2.6% lifted on the news that Air China earnings surged on higher demands for its international flights. The company stock jumped 7% on earnings growth of 20-fold.

Baotou Aluminum surged 9.9% and Aluminum Corp of China jumped 9.3% on the speculation that aluminum prices will gain in the coming months.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the largest bank in China, jumped 2.6% in sympathy with the broader market rise. The recent rise in the stock has lifted its market value to the largest bank in market capitalization in the world.

Shanghai Automotive jumped 4.8% after it said that it plans to issue convertible bonds to expand its production and hunt for acquisition in the overseas market. The 8 billion yen bond is likely to be priced before the end of the year. Huaneng Power surged 10% after Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock.

Exposure to sub-prime lending in the U.S. left HSBC lower 1% in Hong Kong trading. Lower oil price in the region dragged CNOOC 3% lower. Property stocks held steady but telecom and retail stocks edged a fraction higher.


6:30AM New York, 6:30PM Tokyo – Oil complex stocks and leading exporters lead a sell-off in Tokyo. Shipping companies recover at close

In Tokyo trading Nikkei 225 fell 143.61 to close at 17,858.42 on weak oil and sharp fall in New York trading. The index recovered from its mid-day trading losses of 1.5% to close only 0.8% lower.

Nintendo stock rebounded 6% from a loss of 2.5% to 3.5% at close during the day. Nintendo reported first quarter earnings of 80.3 billion yen from 15.6 billion a year ago and revised its annual earnings projection to 245 billion. The sharp revision in earnings 41% from an earlier projection lifted the stock and trading sentiment in the market. Nintendo also pays out high percentage of its earnings in dividend.

Nomura Holdings reported first quarter earnings of 76.7 billion yen compared to 20.1 billion yen from a year ago on higher asset under management and profits in stock trading. The boom is assets to manage retirement accounts in mutual funds helped the largest securities company to reach 30 trillion yen in assets under management. The investment management fees rose 47.3 billion from 29.7 billion and trading and brokerage commissions jumped to 113 billion from 79.6 billion.

Mistukoshi jumped 7% after Nikkei newspaper reported that the company may be exploring merger or other recapitalization plans.