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Asian markets rallied into the weekend Friday as positive leads from Wall Street prompted buying in commodity-linked and exporter shares. South Korean stocks shrugged off a surprise interest rate hike by the central bank to advance, while Japanese shares climbed in spite of hefty losses in Inpex Corp. after it announced capital-raising plans.

"Whilst people aren't super bullish, valuations hav
Stocks in Asia were lifted by Friday's mild gains on Wall Street and signs that U.S. consumer sentiment was on the mend. "The mood is not bad. The improved U.S. consumer sentiment will likely help ease some worries over a potential slowing in economic momentum that had rattled [investor] sentiment throughout May," said Lee Kyoung-min at Woori Investment & Securities in Seoul.
Asian shares fell sharply Monday with financials losing ground as sentiment was hurt on news that U.S. regulators had filed civil fraud charges against Goldman Sachs Group.

China's main share benchmark fell 4.8%, suffering its biggest percentage drop of this year, as fresh moves by Beijing to rein in property prices over the weekend battered shares of real estate developers and banks.

Airli
Asian shares shone across the region Thursday, with Japan's major stock index closing at a new 18-month high after a bright trading debut by Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co. and data showing improved business sentiment, while signs of a pickup in manufacturing activity boosted shares in China. The Bank of Japan's quarterly tankan survey of business sentiment released Thursday showed significantly less
Most Asian markets ended higher Tuesday, as Shanghai and Hong Kong shares rose after an upbeat forecast from China Life Insurance Co., while China Southern Airlines Co. jumped on plans to raise funds through a private placement.

Japanese shares ranked among decliners and gains in many other markets were muffled after a lackluster performance on Wall Street. Steelmakers and resource stocks suff
Asian shares ended mostly higher Tuesday as technology stocks gained ground on buoyant consumer demand, though disappointing results from HSBC Holdings dragged on Hong Kong.

The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its policy interest rate for the fourth time in five meetings, by a quarter percentage point to 4%, capping gains in Sydney. Robust sales in February boosted automobile shares in Mumbai
National carrier Air New Zealand Ltd's first half profit more than doubled but it said expected a weaker second half.

The largely state-owned airline said on Friday, net profit for the six months ended Dec. 31 was NZ$54 million ($37 million), compared with NZ$24 million a year ago.
MALAYSIA Airlines said Monday it turned around in the fourth quarter, helping it stay in the black for 2009 despite the global economic slump.

The carrier recorded a net profit of 610 million ringgit (S$252 million) in the three months through December - rebounding from two consecutive quarters of losses - thanks to a reduction in operating costs.