Market

In todays market report the dismal sales outlooks for some heavyweight tech firms dragged down Asian share markets, while worries about the fiscal health of Greece and Portugal undermined investor confidence.

Australian shares fell to cap their worst monthly performance since November 2008, weighed down by worries over the U.S. economic recovery, prospects of an Australian interest rate rise, and weaker commodity prices.

Japan’s Nikkei fell on negative earnings surprises from firms with Nippon Steel warning of a first annual net loss in seven years.

Seoul shares extended losses to retreat below the psychologically significant 1,600 point level led by technology firms.

Samsung Electronics, the world’s top maker of memory chips and LCD screens, failed to lift the gloom despite its forecast-beating earnings as the region’s shares head for their worst monthly decline since early 2009.

BHP Billiton, the world’s biggest miner, will spend almost $2 billion to expand its Australian iron ore business to keep pace with growing demand for the commodity from Chinese steelmakers.

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In todays market report Japan Airlines rallied after news the government may guarantee about $7.8 billion in loans for the debt-stricken airline.

The benchmark Nikkei closed at a six-week high, also helped by the dollar’s surge against the yen on the back of better-than-expected U.S. jobs data.

The economic news boosted investor sentiment across Asia, raising hopes of greater demand for Asian products from exporters like Sony.

China’s Geely Automobile Holdings said it aims to sell a third more vehicles next year and continue to seek acquisitions, sending its stock to another record high.

Elsewhere is Asia, commodities-related stocks dipped, pushing the Australian benchmark to a one-week low, although most regional benchmarks advanced.

Gold extended losses, but oil rose on the view that U.S. demand would increase along with its economic recovery.

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Asian shares edged higher Wednesday while global inflation and recovery worries pushed gold to another new high.

Gold hit a new record while crude prices also rose to near $80 a barrel.

In Hong Kong banks jumped as Chinese and U.S. regulators negotiated a pact aimed at encouraging Mainland institutions to buy into small and medium-sized U.S. banks.

China Mobile rose as the world No.1 by subscribers and is set to carry Dell’s smart phone products in the Mainland later this month.

Japan’s Nikkei came under pressure with banks lower ahead of earnings news from giant Mitsubishi UFJ.

Shares of embattled Japan Airlines tumbled to the lowest level since a re-listing in 2002, after the nation’s transport minister said he had not ruled out a court-led bankruptcy.

The debt-laden JAL has fallen over 40 percent since mid-September amid measures to keep loss-making carrier operational.

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