Asian-Pacific markets closed broadly in the positive territory with the Nikkei hitting a top trading level in four years of 1.37% on optimism for the Japanese economy and reduced political concerns. The banking stocks led the rally, followed by brokerages, real estates and oil issues as ongoing concerns over conflicts in the Middle East lifted oil to a new intraday record of $65 a barrel. In the regional markets, Shanghai Composite climbed 1.6% and South Korea’s Kospi rose 1.7%. The dollar traded at 110.34 yen in early Tokyo trading.

European stocks traded lower at mid-day, erasing recent gains on record-high crude-oil prices of over $65 a barrel, corporate news and German economic data, showing no improvement of GDP figures from the prior quarter. The German DAX 30 declined 0.4%, the French CAC fell 0.3%, while London’s FTSE decreased 0.1% only as oil majors benefited from rising prices. The euro and the pound added 0.2% to trade at $1.2410 and $1.8002 respectively.

ENERGY, METALS AND CURRENCIES MARKETS

Oil prices fell below $65 a barrel after hitting a new intraday high of $65.30 on gasoline supply fears. Light, sweet crude was down 13 cents to $64.77 a barrel in electronic trading on the NYME, and Brent crude for September delivery eased 1 cent to $63.98 on London's International Petroleum Exchange.

Gold futures advanced as the U.S. dollar lost ground against other major currencies. Gold in London traded at $437.80 per troy ounce, up from $436.10.Gold was up $2.70 in Hong Kong to close at $438.35. Silver opened in London at $6.98, down vs. $7.04 Wednesday.

The U.S. dollar slipped against its major counterparts on European morning trading. The euro was quoted at $1.2415, up from $1.2355. The British pound gained against the greenback and traded at $1.8031, up from $1.7930. The Japanese yen stood at 110.27, down from 110.56.

EARNINGS NEWS

Creative Technology Ltd. (CREAF: chart), Singapore-based digital entertainment company, reported a 4Q net loss of 38 cents a share vs. net earnings of 8 cents a share a year earlier, blaming the quarterly loss on the lower-than-expected selling prices for MP3 players and inventory write-downs. Net sales rose to $305.4 million vs. $201.8 million last year.

Standard Parking Corp. (STAN: chart), Chicago-based parking management service company , reported 2Q net earnings of 40 cents a share vs. a net loss of 24 cents a share a year ago. Revenue rose to $147.4 million vs. $140.9 million last year. The company sees 2005 earnings in the range of $1.40 - $1.50 a share.

Zoltek Companies Inc. (ZOLT: chart), carbon fiber developer, reported a 3Q net loss of 8 cents a share vs. net earnings of 4 cents a share a year ago. Revenue rose to $19.7 million vs. $13.3 million a year earlier.

Interchange Inc. (INCX: chart) , paid-search advertising services provider, reported a 2Q net loss of 10 cents a share vs. net earnings of 2 cents a share last year. Revenue rose to $4.8 million from $4.3 million. Interchange also cut its 3Q revenue guidance to a 3Q net loss of $1.5 - $1.6 million, or 17 - 18 cents a share, on revenue of $4.3 - $4.6 million. In April, it had targeted a 3Q loss of 6 - 9 cents a share on revenue of $6.1 - $6.4 million.

Tommy Hilfiger Corp. (TOM: chart), clothing retailer, reported preliminary 1Q revenue of $319 million, down vs. $329 million a year ago. The company expects to post a narrower loss vs. the same period a year earlier. Tommy Hilfiger forecast 2006 capital expenditures of $90 million.

Advance Auto Parts Inc. (AAP: chart), auto parts retailer, reported 2Q net earnings of 90 cents a share vs. 70 cents a share, in the year-ago quarter, beating analysts’ estimate of earnings at 87 cents a share. Net sales rose to $1.02 billion vs. $908.4 million last year. The company sees 3Q earnings at 78 - 83 cents a share and 4Q per-share profit at 50 - 54 cents. For 2005, the company lifted its earnings forecast to $3.12 - $3.18 a share.

Sourcecorp Inc. (SRCP: chart), business process outsourcing services provider, reported 2Q net earnings of 33 cents a share, up 11% vs. 30 cents a share a year ago. Revenue rose to $106.5 million vs. $97.1 million last year. The company cut its 2005 earnings forecast to $1.27 - $1.47 a share from $1.35 - $1.55 a share. Sourcecorp also lowered its 2005 revenue outlook to $405 - $415 million from $400 - $425 million targeted earlier.

Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. (NWS: chart) said its 4Q profit rose 67% to 22 cents a share vs. 15 cents a share, in the year-ago period on higher operating profits at its filmed entertainment and cable network divisions. Revenue rose 12% to $6.1 billion. Analysts expected a profit of 17 cents a share on revenue of $5.86 billion.

TOM Online (TOMO: chart), Chinese Internet services company, announced that 2Q net profit rose 1.8% to 19.5 cents a share on record revenue up 38.5%, missing analysts’ estimate of 20 cents a share.

Liberty Global, ex-U.S. cable operator, reversed to a proforma 2Q loss of 67 cents a share despite revenue growth of up 35% and due to increased foreign currency transaction losses.

Spirent, U.K. telecom testing equipment provider, announced it turned to a first-half net loss of 36.8 million pounds vs. a net profit of 12 million pounds in the year-ago period on weak performance in its service assurance division.

Carlsberg, Danish brewer, announced that 2Q net profit reached DKK633 million ($105 million) from DKK178 million in the year-ago period due to special items last year.

Aegon, Dutch insurer, posted a 2Q net income rise of 71% to 760 million euro after 567 million euro of investment gains, with pre-tax operating earnings up 12% to 507 million euro, beating expectations of 450 million euro.