Seoul - Shares surged by a record 12 per cent Thursday on the Seoul stock exchange as a currency swap with the US worth 30 billion dollars and a decreased currency account deficit in South Korea in September boosted investor sentiment.

The local currency spiked 16.5 per cent against the greenback, buoyed by the swap deal and the bullish stock market.

The benchmark Kospi index jumped 115.75 points, or 12 per cent, to close at 1,084.72, its largest ever one-day gain. The index fell more than 20 per cent last week, the biggest loss in two decades.

Advancing issues outpaced decliners 841 to 53.

BJP leader, Kirit Somaiya demanded enquiry into the role of the regulators and the finance ministry in the recent crash in the stock markets in India.

Tokyo - Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average ended Thursday trading up nearly 10 per cent to above the 9,000 level after the US Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate to spur the economy.

The Nikkei surged 817.86 points, or 9.96 per cent, to end at 9,029.76.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues also jumped 69.05 points, or 8.32 per cent, at 899.37.

The 30-share index BSE Sensex, on Wednesday (Oct 29), belled the day on a positive note on account of heavy buying action by funds on strong worldwide signals.

But, after staying high up in the positive zone for about half an hour, the stock market reversed trend and plummeted into negative in mid morning trade.

After witnessing a volatile session, Sensex finally closed marginally higher, due to settlement of October F&O series.

Taipei - Taiwan stocks surged more than 6 per cent Thursday after the central bank cut interest rates and on positive signs in Taiwan-China ties.

The benchmark TAIEX rose 277.12 points, or 6.29 per cent, to close at 4,683.64 after the central bank cut interest rates by 0.25 per cent, and due to positive signs in Taiwan-China ties.

Sydney