BANGKOK – Asian stock markets rose Wednesday, swayed by a late-day rally on Wall Street, after Greece indicated a willingness to commit to spending cuts demanded by lenders in exchange for a bailout vital to the country’s solvency. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index jumped 1.8 percent to 9,216.62. South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.9 percent to 2,021.07 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index added 1.3 percent to 21,182.38. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index was up 0.3 …

BANGKOK – Asian stock markets dropped Friday after Europe’s finance ministers demanded more spending cuts from Greece before clearing a euro130 billion ($ 170 billion) bailout to stave off the country’s bankruptcy. Benchmark oil hovered below $ 99 per barrel while the dollar rose against the euro but fell against the yen. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index fell 0.3 percent to 8,978.33. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 0.6 percent to 20,888.68 and South Korea’s …

BANGKOK – Asian stock markets rose Wednesday as expectations that China will loosen its monetary policy to boost growth overcame nervousness sparked by mixed earnings reports from big U.S. banks. Benchmark oil rose above $ 101 per barrel while the dollar fell against the euro and the yen. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index rose 1.4 percent to 8,579.80. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.3 percent to 19,685.87. South Korea’s Kospi was down 0.2 percent …

BANGKOK – Asian stock markets were mostly higher Tuesday, buoyed by a successful sale of French government bonds and shrugging off data showing that China’s growth is moderating. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index added 0.6 percent to 8,430.73. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng climbed 1.5 percent at 19,297.77 and South Korea’s Kospi jumped 1.5 percent to 1,886.12. But shares in mainland China slipped into negative territory after the release of government figures showing that growth …

BANGKOK – Asian stock markets were mostly lower Thursday, amid inflation data in China that failed to meet expectations and fears of a possible recession in Europe. Benchmark oil rose above $ 101 per barrel while the dollar fell against the euro and the yen. Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index fell 0.7 percent to 8,386.30, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was nearly unchanged at 19,149. Australia’s S&P ASX 200 fell 0.2 percent to 4,181. …

BANGKOK – Asian stock markets faltered Friday amid worries over the health of Europe’s banks and fears that the continent’s debt crisis might be spreading beyond a handful of small economies. Benchmark oil stood below $ 102 per barrel while the dollar rose against the euro and the yen. Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index fell 1.5 percent to 8,359.92. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 1.4 percent at 18,550.37. South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.7 …

BANGKOK – Asian stock markets were mixed in holiday-thinned trading Monday after weak U.S. indicators dulled optimism about prospects for the world’s biggest economy. Several markets were closed including Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and New Zealand. Oil traders were also on holiday. Wall Street and European stock markets are closed Monday because Christmas fell on a Sunday this year. Japan’s Nikkei 225 stock index finished up 1 percent at 8,479.34 after …

BANGKOK – Asian stocks fell Wednesday after the Federal Reserve refrained from offering new initiatives to help a slowly recovering U.S. economy. Benchmark oil hovered below $ 100 per barrel while the dollar rose against the euro but slipped against the yen. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index fell 0.8 percent to 8,787.68. South Korea’s Kospi lost 0.4 percent at 1,856.46 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng shed 0.2 percent to 18,413.79. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose …

BANGKOK – Asian stock markets fell Tuesday as criticism by ratings agencies sparked wariness over a historic plan by the European Union to bind their economies closer together in an effort to fix a massive debt crisis. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.4 percent to 8,529.72. South Korea’s Kospi gave up 1.7 percent to 1,868.48. Markets rallied on Friday, when the EU adopted a new fiscal pact meant to prevent a repeat of the …

BANGKOK – Asian stock markets were mixed Friday as markets nervously awaited U.S. employment figures and a key speech by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in hopes she might unveil new steps to stanch Europe’s escalating debt crisis. Benchmark oil lingered above $ 100 per barrel while the dollar rose against the euro and the yen. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index rose 0.4 percent to 8,627.85, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 1.1 percent to 4,272.90. …