Indian equities opened positively despite none too encouraging global signals and moved up further in subsequent trading session as investors went bargain hunting after five successive days of losses.

The 30-share index, BSE Sensex opened with a gain of 33.47 points, at 8,970.67 on Wednesday.

Metal stocks, among the severely battered in recent sessions, were among the top gainers, while Oil, real estate, banking, capital goods and power stocks also moved up sharply.

Tokyo  - Tokyo stocks opened lower Wednesday on prolonged worries over the economic outlook.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average declined 148.28 points, or 1.78 per cent, to 8,180.13.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also down 13.29 points, or 1.59 per cent, to 822.15.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 96.75-80 yen, up from Tuesday's 5 pm quotes of 96.60-62 yen.

New York - US stocks rallied at day's end Tuesday as energy and technology shares led the way and investors snapped up bargain basement prices.

The three major indices closed up despite a drop in confidence among homebuilders that was the lowest since record-keeping began in 1985, Bloomberg financial news service reported.

Hewlett-Packard Co jumped 14 per cent as earnings topped analysts' estimates, while Exxon Mobil Corp climbed more than 4 per cent.

Hong Kong - Hong Kong stocks sunk 4.5 per cent lower Tuesday amid increasing pessimism sparked by news of layoffs in the financial sector.

The Hang Seng Index lost 613 points to close the day at 12,915. Turnover was 44.8 billion Hong Kong dollars (5.7 billion US dollar).

Analysts said investors were disheartened by news of job losses with the financial sector leading the fall.

Singapore - Singapore shares drop