Indian Equities opened strongly today (August 11) because of encouraging crude oil’s slide, which kept the outlook positive across worldwide markets.

In addition the gain was led by good buying action witnessed in key stocks.

Today, the 30-share Index, BSE Sensex opened at 15,430.31, up 262.49 points, and soon it touched a high of 15,470.70.

The majority of Asian stocks benefited today, led by banking institutions and manufacturers, after last week’s reduction in commodity prices, which encouraged the positive view of business earnings and relieved inflation worries.

Tokyo  - Stocks opened higher Monday in Tokyo on mainly export-oriented issues on the back of a weak yen and Wall Street's gains before the weekend.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared 225.96 points, or 1.72 per cent, to 13,394.37.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 16.31 points, or 1.29 per cent, at 1,276.24.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 109.65-70 yen, down from Friday's 5 pm quote of 109.84-85 yen.

In volatile trade, the stock markets overcame the initial setback on Friday (August 08) with the benchmark Sensex gaining more than 50 points to remain above 15,000-level at the closing time after declining below this crucial level during late morning trade.

Finally, the 30-share bellwether index on the Bombay Stock Exchange ended the day at 15,167.82, up 50.57 points, on account of some buying action witnessed in metal and capital goods stocks.

Indian stock markets maintained its upward trend and gained more than 500 points during the week, ended on August 08, despite weak global markets, high inflation numbers and slumping growth.

The Federal Reserve’s decision to keep the benchmark lending rates the same at 2% assisted the stock market to lift up from the lows and consolidate a bit.

The Sensex, which marked its closure at 15,167.82, gained 511.13 points during the week, whereas the 50-share index, NSE Nifty profited 115.95 points to close the week at 4,529.50.

New York - Oil futures dropped 4 per cent Fri

Taipei - Taiwan stocks ended 2.63 per cent higher on strong financial gains on Friday, despite Wall street's overnight fall, dealers said.

The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange opened flat as sentiment was dampened by Wall Street's sharp overnight fall, but started picking up by the mid-morning session and continued its upward trend to close at 7,209.04, up 184.46 points or 2.63 per cent.

Dealers said strong gains in the financial sector were one reason for the sharp rise in the local index.