Tokyo  - Tokyo stocks ended Friday trading higher as investors remained positive about the outlook of a series of economic measures across the world.

Sebi chief CB Bhave asked the stock markets to resume trading on Friday at regular time.

“We have asked the exchanges to be ready to start trading. We have kept our options open, we will take a final call later. No time has been fixed for the decision,” he added.

Mr. Bhave also said that the market regulator (SEBI) is monitoring the situation closely.

The NCDEX would also open today for trading.

The forex, money, bond and commodity exchanges have opened already.

Frankfurt  - German bank Commerzbank announced late Thursday that it would accelerate its planned takeover of Dresdner Bank from the current parent, insurance group Allianz, at barely half the earlier price.

Under a revision of the deal first struck in August, Frankfurt- based Commerzbank, Germany's second largest bank, will complete the takeover in January, rather than in the second half of 2009 as originally agreed.

Tokyo  - Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose in a morning of mixed trading Friday, but its gains were capped by a gloomy economic outlook.

The Nikkei rose 47.7 points, or 0.57 per cent, to 8,421.09, but the broader Topix index of all first-section issues dipped 0.21 points, or 0.03 per cent, to 828.82.

Increases were limited after Japan's home electronics company Panasonic Corp slashed its earnings projections for the current fiscal year, which ends March 31.

Tokyo