Goldman Sachs, the investment banking giant, is looking to exit some of its private equity investments through secondary deals. Its 5% stake in the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the country's largest bourse, is one of the major investments on the block, sources familiar with the development said.

They said deals done by Goldman's proprietary desk are on the block. "We are reviewing investments as part of normal course of business," a source at the top US investment bank told DNA Money. "Though we are not looking to sell anything at a loss."

Hong Kong  - Hong Kong shares ended a two-day losing streak Wednesday, rebounding 2.5 per cent on hopes of a new round of economic stimulus measures in China.

The blue-chip Hang Seng Index climbed 297.27 points to end the day at 12,331.15. Turnover was 44.9 billion Hong Kong dollars (5.78 billion US dollars).

Wednesday's turnaround followed a dismal start to the week, which saw shares fall by 3.86 per cent Monday and 2.3 per cent Tuesday.

Indian equities markets, which opened positively at 8,473.25 on Wednesday, slipped back into the red around noon with a key index 0.11% down its previous closing figure.

The stock markets were trading in a listless mode with buying and selling seen across selective stocks.  

At 1:00 p.m., the 30-share index Sensex (BSE) stood at 8,417 points, 9.58 points lower than its previous close.

Similarly, the S&P CNX Nifty index of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) lost 14.95 points at 2,636.95.

Seoul  - Shares surged 3.3 per cen

Wellington  - The New Zeal

Standard Chartered Bank is "evaluating" the option of selling shares in India, Neeraj Swaroop, regional chief executive, India & South Asia said on Tuesday.

"We have not made a decision yet. It will depend on many factors, including market conditions, our need for capital and the terms and conditions for the issue," he said.

This is the first time any top foreign banker has come on record on the desire to sell shares locally, though StanChart was always the most likely candidatebecause of its large, very profitable presence in the country.