Nikkei's weekly gain biggest since Dec 2011 * U.S. data, optimism on BOJ encourage investors * Yen/dollar falls to 3-1/2-year low * Fast Retailing up 24 percent for the week By Ayai Tomisawa TOKYO, March 8 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average ended at a new 53-month high on Friday, as exporters and real estate shares rose helped by bullish …

SINGAPORE, MARCH 7: Oil prices were mixed in Asian trade today, with the sentiment subdued by concerns a prolonged budget stalemate in the United States could hamper recovery in the world’s biggest economy. Prices had already slipped in New York after US crude stockpiles surged by more than eight times, the expected amount, indicating weak demand in the country. New …

On a wide range of economic pointers, Southeast Asia is gaining fast For 15 years, since the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 and 1998, the young tigers of Southeast Asia have been looked upon with suspicion by most investors while they struggled to rebuild their foreign currency reserves, signed currency swaps, strengthened their banking systems and made other reforms. In …

A once-great newspaper market disappears A milestone of a dubious kind was passed in Australia recently when it was discovered that the number of public relations practitioners had for the first time exceeded the number of journalists actually working as reporters and editors. The trend has only deepened with more redundancies of journalists and offshoring of jobs at the country’s …

SINGAPORE: The Malaysian ringgit led gains in emerging Asian currencies on Thursday, with most regional units set to see monthly rises as risk appetite improved after a relatively smooth sale of Italy’s bonds and on strong U.S. business spending. The ringgit rose as investors rushed to cover short positions, shrugging off news that central bank was set to impose tighter …

The yen continues to devalue to new lows against the US dollar. The catalyst for this week’s slump were the national economic indicators such as Japanese Final GDP, which came in at a disappointing 0.0%, underscoring the lack of growth in the Japanese economy. This week was heavy with central bank statements and rate announcements but few surprises. All major …

Asia-Pacific, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, South Korea 1. Myanmar opens new market opportunities Perhaps one of the biggest changes for Asia’s M&A market in 2013 is the significant increase expected in inbound investment into Myanmar. The suspension of certain international sanctions, along with the passing of the new Foreign Investment Law, which was brought into force in November …