Kazakh PM Sees Oil-Nation Currency Pegs Axed as Crude Falls

Currency pegs in crude-producing nations are set to topple as the world enters a “new era” of low oil prices, according to the prime minister of Kazakhstan, which rattled markets this week with a surprise decision to abandon control of its exchange rate.

India, Brazil And Russia Less Vulnerable To U.S. Fed Hikes

Fitch ratings is taking a cue for the world’s biggest emerging market fund managers in saying this week that the big emerging markets are relatively safe from interest rate increases in the U.S. Fitch expects the Federal Reserve to start raising interest rates this year.

China chocolate market seen growing to $4.3 billion by 2019: Hershey

(Reuters) - Chocolate sales in China should grow to $4.3 billion by 2019, up nearly 60 percent from $2.7 billion in 2014 and driven by demand from the growing urban population, a senior Hershey officer forecast on Wednesday.

Japan’s Export-Champ Days Are Left Behind, Chart Shows

Japan’s exports stagnated even as Germany, South Korea and the U.S. saw their shipments surpass levels registered from the 2008 credit crisis, showing how a cheaper yen hasn’t stopped the nation’s manufacturers from moving abroad.

Hong Kong Defends Currency Peg for First Time Since 2012

Hong Kong’s de facto central bank stepped in for the first time since December 2012 to prevent the city’s currency from rising against the U.S. dollar.

Asia stocks reach three-year high

(Reuters) - Asia stocks rose to three-year highs on Tuesday on optimism over global growth prospects and a record run on Wall Street, which helped lift Treasury yields and the dollar.

India central bank chief reiterates call for global monetary coordination

(Reuters) - India's central bank chief, Raghuram Rajan, reiterated on Wednesday what he said is the need for global central banks to be mindful of the impact of their unconventional monetary policy measures on other economies.

Japan drags down global music market

A sharp decline in music consumption in Japan caused overall global growth to slow down in 2013, according to figures from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

Toyota Suspends Output at India Plants on Wage Impasse

Toyota Motor Corp. (7203), the world’s largest automaker, said it’s suspending production in India after an impasse with union workers over wages led to output disruptions and threats to plant managers.

Japan's deficit hits record as economic growth slows

Japan's current account deficit widened to a record 1.5tn yen ($15bn; £8.7bn) in January, the largest since records began in 1985. In further bad news, the country's economic growth figures were also revised downwards.

Emerging markets output growth slows to five-month low in Feb - survey

(Reuters) - Business activity across emerging markets expanded in February at the slowest pace in five months, weighed down by weaker manufacturing in big developing countries such as Russia and China, a survey showed on Thursday.

Asia stocks fall on weak China data, Fed minutes

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A contraction in Chinese manufacturing and the possibility of higher U.S. interest rates dragged most Asian stock markets lower Thursday.

Australia central bank shuts door on rate cuts, A$ surges

(Reuters) - Australia's central bank kept its main cash rate at a record low of 2.5 percent on Tuesday as widely expected but surprised some by saying further cuts were not in the cards - dropping its bias towards easing policy.

Asia stocks slip, euro stuck near ten-week lows

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Asian shares were slowly giving ground on Monday as strains in emerging markets show little sign of abating, while growing pressure for another policy easing in Europe shoved the euro to 10-week lows.

Asia shares lurch lower, China data darkens mood

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Asian shares fell on Thursday after strains in emerging markets returned with a vengeance and the Federal Reserve stepped back on its stimulus, sending investors scurrying to the safety of bonds and yen.

Asia Pacific PC Shipments Fell 10% In 2013, IDC Says

PC shipments in Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) fell by 10% in 2013 to 108 million units, marking the region’s first ever double digit decline in recent years, according to IDC.

Japan in currency deals with Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore

TOKYO: Japan has expanded currency swap agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines, officials said Friday, as Tokyo looks to bolster regional relations to counter the growing influence of China.

India Trade Deficit Narrowed in September

HONG KONG — India’s trade deficit dropped to its lowest level since early 2011, data released Wednesday showed, providing a rare piece of good news from an economy that has been weighed down by inadequate infrastructure, a gaping current account deficit and a currency that has plummeted in recent months.

Rajan’s India Inflation Battle Pressures Singh as Election Nears

Indian central bank chief Raghuram Rajan’s surprise move to raise the policy interest rate adds pressure on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take politically challenging steps to boost economic growth as elections near.

India in crisis mode as rupee hits another record low

The Indian rupee extended losses to another record low on Wednesday as government efforts to stabilize markets failed and investors continued to pull money out of the country.