Hong Kong - Hong Kong stocks rose 1.59 per cent Monday in their fifth straight day of gains, the longest rally for almost a year.

The blue-chip Hang Seng Index climbed by 220.6 points to end the day at 14,108.84 points. Turnover was 43.9 billion Hong Kong dollars (5.66 billion US dollars).

The market was lifted by buoyant property stocks, lifted by reports that a major city property company had sold 300 units in a new development despite a perceived decline in the homes market.

Tokyo  - Tokyo stocks ended trading lower on Monday, with the Nikkei 225 Stock Average losing 115.05 points, or 1.35 per cent, to close at 8397.22 points.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also down by 7.35 points, or 0.88 per cent, at 827.47 points. Traders said markets were still hit by general concerns about the world economy.

On currency markets at midday (0300 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 95.32-37 yen, up from Friday's 5 pm quote of 95.29-32.

The Sensex opened the week on a bearish note after JP Morgan slashed its profit outlook for the fiscal year ending March 2010 for HDFC Bank, ICICI and Axis Bank by between 10% to 30%.

India’s benchmark index, Sensex, saw volatile movements all through the week. But, value buying by investors in a few blue-chips and banking stocks together with short-covering by operators pull the Sensex in the positive zone helping it to cross the 9,000 mark.

The Indian equities, which opened with negative gaps, have soon bounced back into green towards the closing sessions snubbing the prevailing gloomy situation in the country.

According to the sources, Sensex and its counterpart, the broad based Nifty ended the day with higher margins, drawing hope for the Monday`s session.

The Bombay Stock Exchange Midcap soared up 0.29 percent, while Smallcap index plummeted 0.31%.

New York  - After Thursday's holiday, US stocks extended their rally to a fifth day on Friday, with the Standard & Poors 500 Index capping its biggest weekly advance in in 34 years.

As US shoppers swarmed stores on Black Friday - traditionally the nation's biggest annual shopping day as consumers rush out to make use of bargains - experts were bracing for a disappointing outcome amidst the financial crisis.

Target Corporation shares slumped 3.9 per cent as retailers extended deep discounts, Bloomberg financial news service reported.

The Mumbai Railway Police denied that there was any firing at the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus Station this afternoon.

According to the Commissioner, Railway Security, it was not firing but only a disruption and the condition is totally normal out there right now.

The 30-share index BSE Sensex, which had slipped into the red in early afternoon trade, has rallied to 9,118.63, up 91.91 points, on account of buying action seen across IT and auto sectors. 

In the meantime, the broad based Nifty gained 7.35 points at 2,759.60 after touching a high of 2,779.00 and a low of 2,690.30.