Asian Shares Advance, Posting Longest Monthly Winning Streak in 20 Years

(Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks rose as higher earnings
from Olympus Corp. and Hang Seng Bank Ltd. helped the region's
benchmark post its longest monthly winning streak in 20 years.

BHP Billiton Ltd. led gains by mining companies on
speculation profits will climb along with metals prices.
Disappointing earnings from Kyocera Corp. and Kookmin Bank
limited today's advance.


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South Korea Stocks Drop, Snapping Record of 15 Weekly Advances; Banks Fall

(Bloomberg) -- South Korean stocks fell, rounding
off their first losing week since March. Korea Exchange Bank slid
after controlling shareholder Lone Star Funds sold a 13.6 percent
stake, heightening uncertainty about the sale of the lender.

Kookmin Bank, which had planned to buy Korea Exchange before
Lone Star shelved the deal last year, also slid.


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Asian Stocks Slip From a Record; Mitsubishi UFJ, Kookmin Bank Decline

(Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks fell, with the key
regional index dropping from a record, on concern recent gains
more than reflect earnings prospects. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial
Group Inc. and Kookmin Bank led lenders lower.

``Investors who are not yet confident about corporate
earnings momentum judged recent share prices offer less
incentive for further buying,'' said Naoki Fujiwara, who
oversees $720 million at Shinkin Asset Management Co. in Tokyo.


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