Tokyo  - Tokyo stocks ended Friday morning trading modestly higher on the continued strength of the US dollar against the yen.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average edged up 53.27 points, or 0.71 per cent, to 7,511.2.

The broader Topix index of all first section issues was also up 4.17 points, or 0.56 per cent, at 746.7.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar traded at 98.31-36 yen, up from Thursday's 5 pm quote of 97.92-95 yen. A lower yen makes Japanese goods cheaper overseas.

Indian stock markets were trading on a flat note this afternoon offsetting hopes of an additional cut in policy rates by the central bank (RBI) actuated by a reduction in inflation to a 15-month low.

For week ended February 14, inflation fell to 3.36% as against 3.92% during the last week.

Heavy selling action was witnessed across banking stocks, which fell more than 2%.

After opening on a weak note this morning, Indian equities fell further on the back of heavy selling pressure seen across all sectoral indices.

Bankex (-3.40%), Realty (- 2.39%), Metal (1.44%) and Consumer Durables (-1.42%) were among the worst hit sectors.
 
The BSE Sensex was moving aimlessly ahead of monthly derivatives expiry, with hopes for rate cuts tempered by mixed Asian markets.

After opening positive, broader indices including BSE Midcap and Smallcap were also trading weak by 0.59% and 0.81% respectively.

Tokyo  - The Tokyo market reversed its early gains to end Thursday's trading lower as economic worries outweighed optimism created by a weaker yen.

Tokyo players bought mainly export-oriented issues in morning trading as the yen's value dropped. Market sentiment was also boosted by a report the previous day about a government plan to use public funds to buy stocks to try to avoid further declines in share prices.

But investors returned to selling in the afternoon to lock in profits from gains in the morning and on Wednesday on lingering economic worries.

Interactive Brokers' composite trading platform from next month

Retail investors will soon get a composite platform to trade in foreign securities and derivatives in multiple stock markets.

Interactive Brokers, an NYSE-listed broker will give its Indian clients direct access to over 80 exchanges in 17 countries from a single screen. Interactive is a member of NSE and has recently received regulatory clearances to launch its India operations.

Through the IB universal account, which Interactive plans to launch by early March, one can trade stocks, options, futures, forex, and bonds, all from the same Trader Workstation screen. The client's transaction history and positions are all reported in a single statement.

Tokyo  - The Tokyo market rose Thursday as investors bought export-oriented issues on a weaker yen.

Buying was also spurred by a report the previous day about a government plan to use public funds to buy stocks to avoid further declines in share prices.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average extended its gains from Wednesday, rising 99.09 points, or 1.33 per cent, in morning trading to 7,560.31.

The broader Topix index of all first section issues also rose for a second day, up 4.67 points, or 0.63 per cent, at 750.29.