New York  - Major US stock indices rose Wednesday after a surge in oil prices led energy companies to their largest gains in six years, while the Federal Reserve said it would extend borrowing to investment banks.

Crude oil jumped 4.58 dollars to 126.77 dollars per barrel in New York trading as petrol inventories declined, sending an energy sector index up 5.6 per cent.

The 30-share index, BSE Sensex continued to trade strong on the back of strong worldwide markets, a sharp decline in crude oil rates and short-covering ahead of July series derivatives expiry.

All these positive signals helped several front line stocks to record handsome gains.

The stocks, which were beaten down after the central bank announced a rate hike got well to lead the rally.

At 12:37 pm, Sensex has gained 397.63 points at 14,189. 7, while the broad-based Nifty stood at 4290.40, up 100.55 points.

Manila - Philippine share prices surged 2.28 per cent on Wednesday on the back of Wall Street's overnight gains and prospects of lower oil prices.

Tokyo - Tokyo stocks opened higher Wednesday on Wall Street's overnight rebound and a weaker yen.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 156.26 points, or 1.19 per cent, to 13,315.71.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 13.13 points, or 1.02 per cent, to 1,294.77.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 108.06-09 yen, up from Tuesday's 5 pm quote of 107.55-58 yen. A weaker yen helps boost Japanese firms' earnings overseas.

Indian equities fell over 550 points, on Tuesday (July 29), because of CRR and Repo rate hike, hopeless worldwide signals and heavy selling action across the board.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised the CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio) by 25 basis points to 9%. On the other hand, Repo rate has also been augmented by 50 basis points from 8.50% earlier.

However the Bank Rate kept unchanged.

After opening negatively (Tuesday, July 29) at 14,085.53, the 30-share Index slipped further on account of CRR and Repo rate hike news.

New York