Seoul  - Shares soared Monday on the Seoul stock exchange led

New Delhi  - Indian equity indices rose by over 3 per cent in early trading Monday, trailing a rally in Asian markets after China announced a stimulus package of 586 billion dollars to spur its economy in the wake of the global slowdown.

The Bombay Stock Exchange's 30-share sensitive index Sensex was trading at 10,298.45 around noon, about 3.35 above its previous close.

The broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was hovering around 3,076.75 about 3.49 above Friday's close.

Tokyo  - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average Monday crossed the 9,000-point threshold, up more than 5 per cent thanks to a strong rally on Wall Street last week and the US dollar's advance against the yen.

The Nikkei index soared 498.43 points, or 5.81 per cent, to close at 9,081.43.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 37.65 points, or 4.28 per cent, to 916.65.

Singapore  - The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has proposed the creation of an integrated Asian stock market, its chief executive officer Hsieh Fu Hua said Monday.

He called on the ASEAN Exchanges and Central Securities Depositories (CSDs) to forge links that can be extended to the entire Asia-Pacific region.

"These multilateral gateways in trading, clearing and settlement will then help us create a single and more significant Asian marketplace," he said at the 12th general meeting of the Asia-Pacific Central Securities Depository Group in Singapore.

Hong Kong  - Hong Kong shares shot up by more than 5 per cent to break through the 15,000 point barrier in early trading Monday.

The blue-chip Hang Seng Index rose by 762.86 points, or 5.36 per cent, to 15,006.29 in the first 45 minutes of trading of the week.

The early gains consolidated a 3 per cent rise in share prices Friday in response to a cut in local interest rates aimed at freeing up capital.

Tokyo  - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average Monday crossed the 9,000-point threshold, ending morning trading up more than 5 per cent thanks to a strong rally on the US market before the weekend.

The Nikkei index surged 470.9 points, or 5.49 per cent, to 9,053.9.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 36.52 points, or 4.15 per cent, to 915.52.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 98.97-99.02 yen, up from Friday's 5 pm quote of 97.58-60 yen.