Tokyo - Markets in Japan opened stronger Thursday, following positive signals from Wall Street.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index was up 49.34 points, or 0.62 per cent to 8053.44 at mid-trading, also carried up by speculation over a possible merger of Nippon Oil Corp and Nippon Mining Holdings. The broader Topix index rose by 0.1 per cent to 799.96.

On currency markets at midday (0300 GMT) the dollar was quoted at 93.11-16 yen, down from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 93.30-32 yen.

Washington  - US stock indices made gains Wednesday amid a rise in internet retail sales and a record increase in weekly mortgage applications overshadowed more news of a weakening economy.

Research firm ComScore said purchases over the internet increased 15 per cent on Monday - typically considered a big sales day after the Thanksgiving holiday - from the same day a year earlier. The news spurred gains in retailers that will be relying on strong holiday intakes over the coming month.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has extended the cross margining facility for all categories of market participants. It was earlier extended it only to the institutional trades. The move would help to satisfy the financial needs of various broking firms, as cost of working capital has risen sharply in the past few months.

Beijing  - Chinese stocks r

After a smart opening today, Indian equities slipped into the negative terrain due to heavy selling pressure in select IT, realty, auto and FMCG stocks.

However metal and consumer goods stocks gained ground. BSE MIdcap and Smallcap index rose 0.55% and 0.27% respectively.

At 10.50 a.m., the 30-share index Sensex lost 95.21 points at 8,644.03 after hitting a high of 8,854.81 and a low of 8,620.71.

Tokyo  - Japan's benchmark Nikkei