Korean Won Climbs to 2007 High; Philippine Peso Surges to Seven-Year High

(Bloomberg) -- South Korea's won reached the
strongest this year on signs economic growth is gathering pace.

The currency has ``gained a lot'' against the dollar and yen,
Vice Finance Minister Kim Seok Dong said yesterday, adding the
government will stabilize it when necessary. Reports this week
showed department store sales rose at the fastest pace in four
months in June, and China, Korea's biggest export market, grew at
the fastest pace in 12 years last quarter.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

JVC,Kenwood agree on capital,business pact-sources

(Reuters) - The deal would lower Panasonic maker Matsushita's stake in
JVC to about 39 percent, taking the loss-making company off its
consolidated accounts.




Matsushita, the world's largest consumer electronics maker,
has been trying to reduce its JVC stake, worth about 48.5 billion
yen, because its persistent losses have been weighing on its
group-based earnings performance.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

Singapore's Stocks Gain for Second Day; Keppel Gains on Crude Price Rise

(Bloomberg) -- Singapore's stocks rose for a second
day. Keppel Corp. led gains among oil-services companies after
crude prices reached an 11-month high of $76 a barrel.

CapitaLand Ltd. gained, helping property shares rebound from
a two-day loss as investors judged that recent declines were
overdone. CapitaCommercial Trust advanced after the real estate
investment trust said net distributable income rose last quarter.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

South Korea's Kospi Index Rises; LG, Hynix Lead Technology Shares Higher

(Bloomberg) -- South Korean stocks rose for the
second day. LG Electronics Inc. gained after its better-than-
expected profit prompted brokerages to raise their
recommendations or price estimates.

Hynix Semiconductor Inc. climbed after Shinyoung Securities
Co. lifted its earnings estimate and said the actual figures may
still beat the revised projections on higher chip prices.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Japanese Bonds May Decline Before Next Week's Auction, National Elections

(Bloomberg) -- Japanese bonds may decline on
speculation investors will demand higher yields before a debt
auction next week and parliamentary elections three days later.

The government will sell 800 billion yen ($6.56 billion) of
20-year notes on July 26. Half of the upper house's 242 seats
are up for grabs in the July 29 elections. The Liberal
Democratic Party and its coalition partner, New Komeito, need to
win 64 seats to keep their majority and a defeat would likely
force Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to resign.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

UPDATE 2-Broadcom profit falls but sees improvement

(Reuters) - NEW YORK, July 19 - Chip maker Broadcom Corp.
posted a lower second-quarter profit on Thursday on
weakness in its cable modem and wireless business, but forecast
a recovery, helping to boost its shares.




The stock rose 1.2 percent in after-hours trade to $34.40,
after closing up 5 percent on news that it and Verizon
Wireless, a venture of Verizon Communications Inc. and
Vodafone Group Plc , had reached a licensing deal.


Read more at Reuters.com Market News

China's Yuan, Japanese Yen, Thai Baht, India Rupee: Asian Currency Preview

(Bloomberg) -- The following events and economic
reports may influence trading in Asian currencies today.

Exchange rates are from the previous session.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News