Asian Stocks Rise for First Day in Four; Newcrest Advances on Metal Prices

(Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks rose for the first time
in four days. Newcrest Mining Ltd. and Sumitomo Metal Mining Co.
led an advance among commodity producers after copper, gold and
oil prices gained.

``Resources stocks generally trade off the back of macro
information and with commodities prices up, they're doing pretty
well,'' said Troy Angus, who helps manage the equivalent of $2.1
billion at Paradice Investment Management Ltd. in Sydney.


Read more at Bloomberg Emerging Markets News

Gold Rises on Decline in Dollar After Builders' Survey; Silver Also Gains

(Bloomberg) -- Gold in Asia rose for a fifth day as
a decline in the dollar boosted the appeal of the precious metal
as a hedge against the U.S. currency. Silver also gained.

Gold often moves in the opposite direction to the dollar,
which fell for a second day against the euro after a report
yesterday showed U.S. homebuilders' confidence fell, according
to traders including Osao Iizuka at Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co.


Read more at Bloomberg Commodities News

Japanese Shares Advance, Paced by Trading Companies; Sony, Takeda Slide

(Bloomberg) -- Japanese stocks gained, paced by
trading companies and oil explorers, after Nikko Citigroup Ltd.
raised its recommendation on Sumitomo Corp. and Marubeni Corp.
shares and the price of crude oil advanced.

Limiting gains, technology-related companies that rely on
U.S. sales such as Sony Corp. declined after a higher-than-
forecast rise in U.S. labor costs fueled concern accelerating
inflation will prompt the Federal Reserve to increase interest
rates.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Japanese Stocks Advance, Paced by Trading Companies; Sony, Takeda Slide

(Bloomberg) -- Japanese stocks gained, paced by
trading companies and oil explorers, after Nikko Citigroup Ltd.
raised its recommendation on Sumitomo Corp. and Marubeni Corp.
and the price of crude oil advanced.

Limiting gains, technology-related companies that rely on
U.S. sales such as Sony Corp. declined after a higher-than-
forecast rise in U.S. labor costs fueled concern accelerating
inflation will prompt the Federal Reserve to increase interest
rates.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News