Tokyo - Japan markets continued their losing streak Friday with the key Nikkei index dropping nearly 3 per cent.

In the first 15 minutes of trading, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 232.45 points, or 2.75 per cent, to 8,228.53.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was down 24 points, or 2.75 per cent, to 847.7.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 97.58-63 yen, down from Thursday's quote of 97.68-70 yen.

Washington - Most US stock indices closed higher Thursday, led by an increase in oil prices that helped energy firms, and overshadowing more depressing news from the US housing market.

The rally was part of another volatile trading day and followed significant stock losses earlier this week, fuelled by ongoing fears of a global recession. The Standard & Poor's 500 index hit its lowest level in more than five years Wednesday but rebounded more than 1 per cent on Thursday.

Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries (RIL), the largest private oil refiner and retail giant in India has registered a 7.4 per cent growth in profit at Rs 4122 crore in the second quarter, as compared to Rs 3837 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.

While company's second quarter revenue rose 39.40% to Rs 44,938 crore in the three-month period ended September 30, against Rs 32,211 crore in the year-ago period. 

New York - Goldman Sachs Group Inc plans to slash its workforce by about 10 per cent - or about 3,300 jobs - as a consequence of the financial crisis, reported the Wall Street Journal in its Thursd

Singapore - Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) and Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate for the benefit of the financial services industries in Singapore and Pakistan, officials said Thursday.

The MOU aims to foster a closer relationship between the two exchanges.

The pact, which was signed in Singapore on Wednesday, includes sharing best practices regarding each exchange's products as well as the operation and governance of their respective markets.

"This MoU fosters a closer relationship between the two exchanges. We look forward to working with KSE to help develop our respective financial markets," said SGX chief executive officer Hsieh Fu Hua.

Singapore - Singapore shares came under another round of selling pressure Thursday, mostly in line with the downward trend among other Asian bourses.

The Straits Times Index (STI) fell by 75.46 points, or 4.14 per cent to close at 1745.67, with 341 counters reporting losses and 149 gains.

The STI was down by over 68 points at mid-day, with early morning trade nose-diving. However, trading was more somber from late morning through to the rest of the day.

Thursday's selling was in line with what has been happening at the regional bourses and the continuing reaction of the global financial and economic crisis, said Nancy Wei, head of research at brokerage UOB Kay Hian Pte Ltd.