Asian Markets Mostly Higher but Caution Remains.

[elleng]

Source: AP/NYT

HONG KONG (AP) -- Asian stock markets were mostly higher Monday, with Tokyo's index up nearly 2 percent, on cautious optimism that government pledges to spur growth and heal the financial system will reinvigorate the flagging world economy.

Still, lackluster trade outside of the region's two biggest markets -- Japan and Hong Kong -- reflected investor uncertainty after last week's rally that was spurred by upbeat news about Citigroup and other top U.S. banks.

In Japan, financial stocks surged on reports the country's central bank may buy their subordinated loans and bonds to bolster their capital. Also buoying optimism about financials were promises over the weekend from finance ministers of Group 20 nations to do ''whatever is necessary'' to fix the global economy and restore a shaky financial sector still reeling from losses on bad assets."



Read more: http://nytimes.com/aponline/2009/03/16/business/AP-World-Markets.html

[Suji to Seoul]

1. The Won has rebounded eight cents in 11 days, after falling to $.62 on the dollar

If it can get up to $.82 - $.85, I will be very happy.