Tokyo  - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average extended its losses Friday to a two-month low after Sony Corp announced a projected record operating loss for fiscal 2008.

The Nikkei index tumbled 306.49 points, or 3.81 per cent, to close at 7,745.25, and the broader Topix index of all first section issues was also down 22.36 points, or 2.81 per cent, at 773.55.

Sydney  - Australian stocks tumbled Friday on news from Beijing that growth in China's economy had almost halved to 6.8 per cent in the year to December.

The ASX 200 lost 144 points, or 4.1 per cent, to 3,342. China's National Bureau of Statistics put out the figures that showed the likelihood of the first economic reversal in 16 years.

"They're worse than the market expectations and they confirm that the Chinese boom that has supercharged the Australian economy over the past five to seven years is receding rapidly," Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner said.

Tokyo  - Stocks declined more than 2 per cent in Tokyo Friday morning after Sony Corp announced a projected record operating loss for fiscal 2008.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average plunged 228.4 points, or 2.84 per cent, to 7,823.34, and the broader Topix index of all first section issues was also down 16.29 points, or 2.05 per cent, at 779.62.

Paris  - With economic news growing more gloomy and Wall Street in a downward spiral, the Paris Bourse finished Thursday's session at its lowest level in nearly six years.

The benchmark CAC 40 ended the day down 1.24 per cent, at 2,869.62 points, its lowest level since May 2003, as declining stocks outpaced risers by 3 to 1.

Automobile shares led the losers, with the two largest French car makers, Renault and PSA Peugeot Citroen, both off by more than 7 per cent, at 14.24 euros and 11.99 euros, respectively.

Educomp Solutions has approached the Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police and the Cyber Cell to apprise them about malicious rumors by some elements to hamper its stock value.

The Managing Director and CEO of Educomp Solutions, Shantanu Prakash has expressed concerns over the conspiracy to malign the image of Indian corporate sector in general and the company in particular. It should be recalled that several news came out from different sources revealing that the accounts of company have been fudged.

Mumbai, Jan 22 : The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark sensex finally showed some good results after two days on Thursday by gaining 34.67 points at 8,813.84.

The National Stock Exchange index Nifty also improved by 7.65 points at 2713.80.

Though the 35 points gain is minimal, the investors felt encouraged by Bharti Airtel's announcement of handsome results for the third quarter which came as a gain of 6.19 percent to Rs. 619.70.

The announcement has also increased expectations from Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), which is expected to announce its results later on Friday.