Business news with words asia+recession+shares. 6 news.

ASIAN stocks rose for a second day, led by electronics makers, after consumer spending increased more than forecast in the United States, the region's biggest export market. Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, maker of iPods for Apple Inc, and Samsung Electronics Co climbed to the highest in more than a week. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index advanced the most in three weeks last Friday after the report on November spending eased concern about recession in the world's biggest economy. "US shares showed firm gains, and we're seeing the influence in shares today (yesterday)," said Kim Jae Dong, who oversees the equivalent of US$8.6 billion at Korea Investment Trust Management Co in Seoul. BHP Billiton Ltd led an increase among miners after metals prices climbed, and a UK regulator set a deadline for a formal takeover bid for Rio Tinto Group. The MSCI Asia Pacific, excluding Japan Index, rose two percent to 524.1 as of 3:38pm in Hong Kong, with all 10 industry groups climbing.

FT.com - Shares fell across the Asia Pacific region on Wednesday as investors seemed worried by the US Federal Reserve's statement that the US economy was slowing, and that its 25 basis point cut in interest rates may not be enough to prevent a recession.

Shares fell across the Asia Pacific region as investors seemed worried by the US Federal Reserve's statement that the US economy was slowing, and that its cut in interest rates may not be enough to prevent a recession

ASIAN stocks have risen for a second week after the United States government announced a plan to limit defaults on subprime mortgages, easing concern the region's largest export market will suffer a recession. Mizuho Financial Group Inc, Japan's second-largest publicly traded bank, and Bank of East Asia, Hong Kong's third largest, jumped after President George W. Bush said some borrowers will be able to refinance or freeze interest rates on adjustable-rate loans, according to Bloomberg News. Samsung Electronics Co led exporters higher following stronger-than-expected US data on productivity and jobs. The US government's measures "will stop their poor people from becoming homeless, halt the drop in property prices, and help prop up spending," said Yang Jeung Won, who oversees the equivalent of US$7.6 billion at Samsung Investment Trust Management Co in Seoul. "There are expectations that the US economy will be able to ease itself into a soft landing." The MSCI

ASIAN stocks rose for a third day, led by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc and National Australia Bank Ltd, on speculation the Federal Reserve will cut United States interest rates to bolster growth in the world's largest economy. Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd led gains by developers in Hong Kong as lower borrowing costs would spur demand for real estate. Hong Kong's interest rates typically move in step with those in the US because the currency is pegged to the greenback. Banks also climbed on speculation US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will reach a deal to stem further credit-market losses, Bloomberg News said. "There's a perception the Fed is getting ahead of the curve and as a result the US economy won't fall into recession," said Troy Angus, who helps manage the equivalent of US$3.5 billion at Paradice Investment Management Ltd in Sydney. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index added 0.2 percent to 162.21 at 6:33pm in Tokyo. Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 0.3

ASIAN stocks rose, reversing earlier declines, on speculation minutes from a Federal Reserve meeting will show the United States economy, the region's biggest overseas market, can weather a slump in values of homes and subprime mortgages. Some shares also climbed on expectations declines this month didn't reflect regional companies' earnings prospects. Mitsui & Co, which lost a fifth of its value in November, advanced. CNOOC Ltd led gains among energy stocks as oil prices rose. "Is subprime going to drag the US economy into recession? I don't think so," said Mona Chung, who helps manage US$2.5 billion at Daiwa Asset Management Ltd in Hong Kong. "Some shares have already dropped to very attractive levels." The Morgan Stanley Capital International Asia Pacific Index added 0.3 percent to 158.05 at 6:47pm in Tokyo, rallying from an earlier decline of as much as 2.6 percent. The index is still down 7.8 percent this month. Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average