Asian-Pacific benchmarks closed largely higher, lifted by upbeat data indicating a robust growth in China’s trade surplus, which is a favorable factor for the inter-regional trade and development. The gainers were led by the Nikkei, climbing 1.5% to 16,363.59, followed by Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, up 0.5% and Taiwan’s Weighted index which reversed from losses to gain 0.4%. China’s Shanghai and South Korea’s Kospi dropped, 0.8% and 0.2% respectively.

European stocks gained ground Wednesday, lifted by merger-and-acquisitions activity. The German DAX 30 climbed 0.7%, the French CAC 40 rose 0.6%, and London’s FTSE 100 gained 0.75%.

OIL, METALS, CURRENCIES

Crude oil prices slipped on rise in gasoline and heating oil inventories. Light sweet crude for February delivery dropped 40 cents to $63.10 a barrel. Gasoline fell 3 cents to $1.7025 a gallon. Heating oil traded 3 cents down at $1.705. Natural gas lost 4 cents to $9.30 per 1,000 cubic feet. London Brent traded down 18 cents at $61.74.

European gold prices advanced. In London gold closed at $544.70 per troy ounce, up from $541.10. In Zurich the precious metal advanced to $544.45 from $540.85. In Hong Kong gold dropped $6.10 to close at $540.40. Silver closed at $8.92, down from $8.99.

The U.S. dollar declined against most major currencies. The euro was quoted at $1.2105, up from $1.2071. The dollar bought 114.23 yen, down from 114.36. The British pound traded at $1.7604, down from $1.7651.

EARNINGS NEWS

Mercantile Bank Corp, (MBWM: chart), banking services company, reported net income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 of $2.31 earnings per share, up 29.8% from $1.78 reported for 2004. Net income for Q4 amounted to 59 cents per share, up 1.7% from 58 cents per share in the comparable period last year. Moderation in earnings growth primarily reflects the Company''s recent expansion initiatives.

SYNNEX Corp, (SNX: chart), IT supply chain services company, reported that Q4 net income decreased 17% to 40 cents a share, down from 49 cents a share in the same period last year despite 11% revenue growth. Net income on a non-GAAP principles was, 41 cents per share, compared with net income of.43 cents per share in prior year quarter.

M&T Bancorp, (MTB: chart), banking services company, reported that its Q4 net income advanced to $1.78, up from $1.66 a share in the year-ago period on cost controls and improved credit quality which helped offset pressure on margins from a flat yield curve. The company beat analysts’ projections of $1.75 a share.

Material Sciences Corp, (MSC: chart), material-based solutions for acoustical applications company, posted Q3 net earnings of 15 cents a share, down 7.9% vs. 17 cents a share in the same time last year despite revenue growth. Gross margin dropped 0.7%.

Genentech Inc, (DNA: chart), biotherapeutics manufacturer, reported that its Q4 net income was 31 cents a share, 64% higher than the 19 cents a share, earned in the same period a year ago. Sales were $1.9 billion vs. last year''s $1.3 billion. Non-GAAP earnings of 34 cents a share matched the analysts’ estimate Sales, however, exceeded the $1.85 billion forecast by analysts.

International DisplayWorks Inc., (IDWK: chart), maker of LCDs for modules, cell phones and other wireless devices, reported Q4 net income of a penny a share down from 2 cents a share in the same time last year despite higher sales because of costs growth. Sales amounted to $24 million, up 68 percent from last year''s same period result. The company missed the analysts’ expectations of 4 cents a share for the period.

Infosys Technologies, (INFY: chart), technical and system software company, reported that Q3 earnings per share rose to 53 cents, up from 42 cents per share in the year-ago period on 32.2% revenue growth.