The retail securitization market of India has shown greater stability and it is performing even better than the developed countries such as US. It is said by the leading rating agency Crisil, on Wednesday. The country has set a record of better securitization, even amid the unfavorable financial conditions in the world.

Tokyo  - Tokyo stocks recovered slightly Friday as investors tried to snap up bargains.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 53.53 points, or 0.68 per cent, to 7,977.77.

Washington  - Wall Street stock indices lost ground Thursday, as US carmakers asked Congress for a federal bail-out and oil prices fell to their lowest level in nearly four years.

Shares of General Motors Corp plunged 16 per cent as the company's plea alongside Ford Motor Co and Chrysler LLC for emergency cash to keep the US automotive industry afloat was met with skepticism by US legislators.

Indian equities continued to gain momentum on the back of heavy buying action witnessed across all sectors.

Mirroring the sharp increase in values of key stocks in this space, the BSE Realty index gained 10%. Capital goods, oil, power, bank and metal stocks also rallied smartly.

BSE Midcap and Smallcap rose 1.98% and 1.38% respectively.

At 02.25 p.m., the 30-share index Sensex stood at 8,993.39, up 245.96 points, after hitting a high of 8,997.36 and a low of 8,726.71.

Amid a cautious start, Indian equities continued to trade positively but on a flat note.

Global signals are fairly positive and there are expectations that the government will shortly declare a strong stimulus package to boost up the financial system.

Realty, consumer goods and banking stocks went up, whereas consumer durables and metal stocks turned down.

BSE Midcap and Smallcap index gained 0.65% and 0.61% respectively.

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.