LAGOS, Nov 17, 2007 (AFP) - Nigerian stock prices rose 3.8 percent this week as the index closed at 53,291.68 points from 51,596.62 the previous week, brokers said Saturday.

NEW YORK, Nov 16, 2007 (AFP) - US investors are keeping their fingers crossed that the legendary American consumer has not lost his or her appetite for spending ahead of the crucial pre-Christmas shopping season.

Analysts say the approaching week will be of particular importance because the Thanksgiving holiday week traditionally kicks off an annual shopping fest.

Concerns about the health of the American consumer are mounting, however, because of a nagging housing slump, a related credit crunch and surging energy costs.

MUMBAI, Sept 30, 2007 (AFP) - Indian shares could correct sharply in coming weeks after hitting a series of record highs on unprecedented overseas fund flows, analysts say.

Lifted by a tide of foreign money, Indian shares have climbed 25.4 percent this year to hit a record 17,291.1 points last Friday.

The rise 'has been too dramatic,' said Atul Mehra, capital markets head at Mumbai brokerage J.M. Financial.

'Share valuations definitely appear stretched,' he said.

NEW YORK, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - After another positive week for Wall Street, it appears investors are looking past the gloomy outlook for the the US economy and betting on sunnier times after some short-term problems.

The market's surprising performance over the past week have the main indexes showing strong gains in the traditionally weak month of September, and for the third quarter.

The gains come against a backdrop of a worrisome economic picture as the housing market hits more turbulence and consumers are showing signs of buckling.

NEW YORK, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - US share prices ended with modest losses Friday as investors made end-of-quarter portfolio adjustments and mulled better-than-expected consumer spending and inflation data.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 17.48 points (0.13 percent) to 13,895.46 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq shed 8.09 points (0.30 percent) to close at 2,701.50.

The broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 4.63 points (0.30 percent) to 1,526.75.

LONDON, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - British investors will next week focus on an interest rate decision from the Bank of England amid jitters over global credit squeeze.

The FTSE 100 index of leading shares finished Friday at 6,466.80 points, up 10.1 points or 0.16 percent from a week earlier. The FTSE had soared by 2.66 percent in value the previous week.

Next Thursday, the BoE will unveil its October monetary policy decision after a two-day meeting. Most analysts expect the British central bank to leave borrowing costs at a six-year high point of 5.75 percent.

LONDON, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - European stock exchanges closed weaker Friday, with sentiment in several capitals weighed down by record surges in the euro and the price of oil.

The London FTSE 100 index shed 0.30 percent to close at 6,466.80, while in Paris, the CAC 40 fell 0.31 percent to finish at 5,715.69. But the Dax in Frankfurt managed to edge up 0.10 percent to reach 7,861.51.

The Euro Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone shares fell 0.17 percent to close at 4381.71.

NEW YORK, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - US share prices edged lower in morning trade Friday as investors made end-of-quarter portfolio adjustments and mulled better-than-expected consumer spending and inflation data.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 13.57 points (0.10 percent) to 13,899.37 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq shed 4.55 points (0.17 percent) to 2,705.04 at 1420 GMT.

The broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 2.42 points (0.16 percent) to 1,528.96.

NEW YORK, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - US share prices opened mixed Friday as investors adjusted portfolios on the final trading day of the third quarter and mulled better-than-expected data on consumer spending and inflation.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 5.93 points (0.04 percent) to 13,907.01 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq rose 1.26 points (0.05 percent) to 2,710.85 in early action.

The broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 1.01 points (0.07 percent) to 1,530.37.

LONDON, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Tate and Lyle, Europe's biggest sugar refiner, saw its share price tumble by more than a quarter in London morning trade on Friday after the group delivered a profits-warning, dealers said.

Tate stock was showing a loss of 25.8 percent to 413.5 pence on London's FTSE 100 nearing the half-way mark. At the same time, the British capital's index of leading shares was down 0.48 percent at 6,455.30 points.

Tate's share price melted after the group warned that rising costs and the weak dollar would weigh on profitability.

LONDON, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Europe's main stock markets fell on Friday as an overnight rally on Wall Street failed to inspire investors, dealers said.

In London, the FTSE 100 index of leading shares sank 0.48 percent to 6,455.30 points nearing the half-way stage.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 0.11 percent to 7,844.85 points and in Paris the CAC 40 lost 0.16 percent to 5,723.94.

The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index decreased 0.20 percent to 4,380.02 points.

TOKYO, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Japanese share prices may extend their recovery next week if a key central bank survey of business confidence surpasses market expectations, analysts said Friday.

But they said Japanese stocks were likely to remain vulnerable to developments in the US economy amid continued worries about a slump in the US housing market.

Over the week to September 28, Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei-225 index advanced 473.08 points or 2.90 percent to 16,785.69 following a 1.15 percent increase the previous week.

VIENNA, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Wiener Boerse, the Vienna stock exchange, said Friday that it had signed a deal to cooperate with the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange, one of the emerging markets in central Asia.

The joint heads of the Vienna exchange, Heinrich Schaller and Michael Buhl, signed a corresponding memorandum of understanding with the president of the Kazakhstan market, Azamat Joldasbekov, in the Austrian capital on Friday, Wiener Boerse said in a statement.

The Kazakhstan Stock Exchange, based in Almaty, was created in 1993 as a market for foreign exchange trading.

HONG KONG, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Hong Kong share prices closed at yet another record high as China stocks drew strong interest in late trade, helping the market finish the third quarter on a strong note, dealers said.

They noted that several H-share firms drew strong interest after the Shanghai bourse hit a new high, with oil counters in the limelight after crude prices moved back to above 83 US dollars a barrel.

SHANGHAI, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Chinese share prices on Friday closed 2.64 percent up to hit a record high on the last trading day for the third quarter, with energy and resources stocks leading gains, dealers said.

They said a further boost to the market came after about two trillion yuan (266 billion dollars) worth of excess subscription funds from Shenhua Energy's Shanghai initial public offering was returned to investors.

TOKYO, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Japanese share prices closed mixed in subdued trading on Friday as investors refrained from buying ahead of a key central bank survey of business sentiment due next week, dealers said.

They said a raft of domestic data had given mixed signals on the health of the world's second largest economy, while modest overnight gains on Wall Street failed to inspire investors here.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikkei-225 index of leading shares fell 46.53 points or 0.28 percent to 16,785.69, easing off a six-week high.

SYDNEY, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Australian share prices are expected to continue a record-breaking rally next week but remain vulnerable to a mild short-term correction, dealers said Friday.

For the week to September 28 the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index ended up 3.3 percent at an all-time high 6,567.8, a gain for the week of 209.9 points as the market posted its sixth consecutive weekly gain.

The market closed at record levels in four of the five weekly sessions.

SHANGHAI, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Chinese share prices closed 2.64 percent up to hit a record high Friday on the last trading day for the third quarter, with energy and resources stocks leading gains, dealers said.

They said a further boost to the market came after about two trillion yuan (266 billion dollars) worth of excess subscription funds from Shenhua Energy's Shanghai initial public offering was returned to investors.

SYDNEY, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Australian share prices closed up 0.5 percent Friday, led by mining giant BHP Billiton on expectations of continuing strong commodity prices, dealers said.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 ended up 29.7 points at 6,567.8, surpassing the previous record close of 6,538.1 struck Thursday. The broader All Ordinaries index closed up 32.9 points at 6,580.9.

Volume traded was 2.2 billion shares worth 11.8 billion dollars (10.44 billion US), with gainers outstripping losers 761 to 501 and 342 unchanged.

LONDON, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Europe's main stock markets stabilized in initial trade on Friday, with London's FTSE 100 index of top shares down a marginal 0.01 percent at 6,485.90 points.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 nudged down 0.04 percent to 7,850.94 and in Paris the CAC 40 eked out a 0.01 percent gain to reach 5,734.12 points.

HONG KONG, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Hong Kong share prices finished the Friday morning 0.36 percent higher in an erratic session as oil stocks posted strong gains after crude prices moved above the 83 dollar a barrel level, dealers said.

They said select blue chips such as China Life were also boosted by window-dressing activity on the last trading day of the third quarter, helping offset weakness among China property stocks after Beijing announced further measures to cool the sector.

SHANGHAI, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Chinese shares rose 2.17 percent in Friday morning trade amid window-dressing on the third quarter's last trading day, with energy and resources stocks leading the gains, dealers said.

They said about two trillion yuan (266 billion dollars) worth of excess subscription funds from Shenhua Energy's Shanghai initial public offering was returned today to investors who failed to secure shares, thus providing a boost to the market.

TOKYO, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Japanese share prices declined 0.28 percent in morning trade on Friday on profit-taking following recent gains and after the release of mixed economic data, dealers said.

Sentiment was also hit by a strong yen, which hurts exporters by making their products less competitive overseas and reducing repatriated earnings.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikkei-225 index of leading shares fell 47.57 points to 16,784.65 by the lunch break. Volume traded dropped to 862 million shares from 952 million Thursday morning.

SHANGHAI, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Chinese shares rose 1.54 percent in early Friday morning as institutional investors supported their holdings ahead of book-closing for the third quarter, dealers said.

They said about two trillion yuan (266 billion dollars) worth of excess subscription funds from Shenhua Energy's Shanghai initial public offering was returned today to investors who failed to secure shares, thus providing a boost to the market.

At 10:29 am (0229 GMT) the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, was up 83.51 points at 5,492.91.

HONG KONG, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Hong Kong share prices opened 0.2 percent higher Friday, with investors encouraged by further gains on Wall Street overnight and expectations of more investment from China, dealers said.

Investors are hopeful that Chinese citizens will soon be trading Hong Kong shares after Beijing relaxed its investment rules.

'The Hong Kong stock market is supported not only by the performance of overseas markets but also by liquidity pouring in from China,' said Conita Hung, head of research at Delta Asia Securities.

NEW YORK, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Wall Street shares rose modestly Thursday as the market shook off news of a steep decline in new-home sales and a fresh surge in energy costs, apparently banking on lower interest rates ahead.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 34.79 points (0.25 percent) to 13,912.94 while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 10.56 points (0.39 percent) to 2,709.59 at the closing bell.

The broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index advanced 6.03 points (0.40 percent) to 1,531.45, based on preliminary closing data.

NEW YORK, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Wall Street shares traded narrowly mixed Thursday after the government reported a surprisingly steep decline in new-home sales in August in the troubled housing market.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 7.24 points (0.05 percent) at 13,870.91 around 1530 GMT, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 3.28 points (0.12 percent) at 2,702.31.

The broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index advanced 0.40 points (0.03 percent) to 1,525.82.

NEW YORK, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Wall Street shares opened on the upside Thursday as investors braced for a new-home sales report expected to show further deterioration in the troubled housing market.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 24.30 points (0.18 percent) to 13,902.45 shortly after the market opened and the tech-heavy Nasdaq was up 13.36 points (0.49 percent) at 2,712.39.

The broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index advanced 4.07 points (0.27 percent) at 1,529.49.

HONG KONG, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Hong Kong share prices closed at a new high above 27,000 points Thursday as futures-related activity and end of September portfolio sprucing by fund managers boosted blue chips, dealers said.

They said China Mobile led gains among large-caps as the telecoms giant was supported ahead of the settlement of September futures contracts, with the sector also continuing to benefit from hopes of industry restructuring on the mainland.

SHANGHAI, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Chinese share prices closed 1.33 percent higher Thursday as banks were boosted by a strong rise in newly-listed China Construction Bank (CCB), dealers said.

Energy stocks also recovered from heavy losses earlier this week, creating a positive investment climate for Shenhua Energy's Shanghai listing on October 9, they said.

BEIJING, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Chinese share prices closed 1.33 percent higher Thursday as banks got a lift from a strong rise in newly-listed China Construction Bank (CCB), dealers said.

Energy stocks also recovered from heavy losses earlier this week, creating a positive investment climate for Shenhua Energy's Shanghai listing on October 9, they said.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index closed up 70.88 points at 5,409.40.

TOKYO, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Japanese share prices surged 2.4 percent on Thursday to close at a six-week high, lifted by overnight gains on Wall Street and hopes of solid domestic earnings, dealers said.

They said exporters led the way higher as a weaker yen brightened prospects for their overseas earnings.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikkei-225 index of leading shares rose 396.48 points or 2.41 percent to 16,832.22, the best close since August 14.

The broader Topix index of all first-section shares advanced 39.13 points or 2.48 percent to 1,615.15.

SYDNEY, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Australian share prices rose 0.9 percent to a record high Thursday after overnight gains on Wall Street boosted sentiment, dealers said.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closed up 56.7 points to an all-time high of 6,538.1, while the broader All Ordinaries also hit new heights, rising 56.6 points to 6,548.

Volume was 1.9 billion shares worth 7.0 billion dollars (6.0 billion US), with 766 stocks up, 514 down and 353 unchanged.

LONDON, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Europe's main stock markets moved higher in opening deals on Thursday, with London's FTSE 100 index of top shares winning 0.68 percent to 6,476.60 points.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 added 0.52 percent to 7,844.42 points and in Paris the CAC 40 gained 0.68 percent to reach 5,729.42.

TOKYO, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Japanese share prices surged 2.41 percent on Thursday to close at a six-week high, lifted by overnight gains on Wall Street and hopes of solid domestic earnings, dealers said.

They said exporters led the way higher as a weaker yen brightened prospects for their overseas earnings.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikkei-225 index of leading shares rose 396.48 points to 16,832.22, the highest closing level since August 14.

The broader Topix index of all first-section shares advanced 39.13 points or 2.48 percent to 1,615.15.

HONG KONG, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Hong Kong share prices closed above the key 27,000-point mark in Thursday morning trade, as hopes of more capital inflows from China pushed the market further into record territory, dealers said.

The benchmark Hang Seng index hit record levels more than 20 times Thursday, posting a new trading high of 27,115.55. At the midday break, it was up 587.80 points or 2.2 percent at 27,018.09.

There were media reports that a Chinese government-owned company focusing on overseas investments will start operating this week.

SHANGHAI, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Chinese share prices rose 0.57 percent in early Thursday morning trade with banks and coal producers leading the gains, dealers said.

They said the market was likely to fluctuate with investor enthusiasm dampened by recent weakness and caution ahead of the week-long national holiday.

'The market gained some strength after recent consolidation. Banks were encouraged by a rally in China Construction Bank and pushed the index higher,' said Wu Feng of TX Investment Consulting Co.

HONG KONG, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - China may be accumulating shares in the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEx), which operates the territory's stock exchange, through state-run agencies, a report said Thursday.

Citing unnamed sources, the Times newspaper in London reported the recent spikes in HKEx's share price were likely to have been driven by the first but still unofficial purchase of HKEx shares by China Investment Corp (CIC).

HONG KONG, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Hong Kong share prices surged above the psychological 27,000-point mark in Thursday morning trade, as Wall Street gains and fund inflows pushed the market further into record territory, dealers said.

By late morning, the benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 641.90 points, or 2.4 percent, to 27,072.20.

'A positive lead from Wall Street overnight and continued liquidity inflows explain the market's gains today,' said Miles Remington, head of sales trading at BNP Paribas.

TOKYO, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Japanese share prices climbed 1.54 percent in morning trade on Thursday, buoyed by overnight gains on Wall Street and a softer yen which boosted exporters.

They said investors were also hoping for some upbeat earnings news from Japanese companies in the coming weeks.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikkei-225 index of leading shares rose 252.90 points to 16,688.64 by the lunch break.

The broader Topix index of all first-section shares gained 26.15 points or 1.66 percent to 1,602.17.