Japan
(Up 2.4%)
The Nikkei 225 rose 2.4 per cent this week after trading resumed following two holidays at the end of the preceding week. The rise reflects a strong U.S. retail sales reports.
China
(Down 2.7%)
The CSI 300 index fell 2.7 per cent this week. The People's Bank of China took steps to raise interest rates and indications are the government wants to tighten credit in 2010, said RBC Dominion Securities Inc. Chinese officials are also considering allowing the yuan to appreciate at a faster rate, RBC said.
Britain
(Up 2.2%)
The FTSE 100 rose 2.2 per cent this week as financials and resource companies increased due to strong Chinese manufacturing data. The top gainers rising from almost 9 per cent to 20.3 per cent were Cairn Energy, Vedanta Resources, Xstrata, Lloyds Banking Group, natural resources company Kazakhmy, Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland.
Brazil
(Up 2.4%)
The Bovespa stock index is up 2.4 per cent this week after declining modestly yesterday in response to a weak U.S. labour report. Among the top gainers were lumber and plumbing company Duratex SA, iron ore producer MMX Mineracao e Metalicos, stock exchange company BM&F Bovespa, airline Tam Sa, tobacco company Souza Cruz and mining conglomerate Vale SA.