Mon, May 28, 2012, 4:18 AM EDT - U.S. Markets closed for Memorial Day

Asia stocks rise after Greece austerity vote

Asian stock markets rise after Greek parliament passes harsh austerity package

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BANGKOK (AP) -- Asian stock markets rose Monday after Greece's parliament approved a new set of austerity measures that were required by international lenders in exchange for an emergency bailout.

Benchmark crude rose above $99 per barrel while the dollar fell against the euro and the yen.

Japan's Nikkei 225 index rose 0.6 percent to 8,997.97. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.7 percent to 20,928.56. South Korea's Kospi added 0.5 percent to 2,004.42.

Drastic cuts in civil service jobs, minimum wages and pensions were among the measures approved by lawmakers in Greece in order to collect a second, urgently needed rescue loan for the country.

Without the $170 billion (euro130 billion) financial lifeline, Greece will default on a mountain of national debt next month and likely be pressed into a disruptive exit from the euro common currency.

Investors in Asia greeted the Greek vote with relief. But Greeks, who have been struggling to cope with a 20 percent unemployment rate and five years of recession, took to the streets to protest the measures. Riots and fires continued all weekend.

Attention now shifts to a meeting Wednesday of European finance ministers, who will discuss additional bailout funds for Greece.

Analysts at Credit Agricole CIB in Hong Kong said in an email that the parliament vote "did not come without major cost in the form of escalating protests and violence within Greece."

"At least for today the market tone will be a positive one as attention shifts to a meeting of EU finance ministers on Wednesday."

Elsewhere, Chinese property shares plummeted after the city of Wuhu, in eastern China, announced it was suspending plans it announced last week to subsidize some home purchases and give tax breaks to help support the local market.

That news, suggesting an easing of curbs on the real estate market, pushed property and related shares higher late last week.

An announcement on the Wuhu city government's website said the plan required more study. But the central government has insisted that it will keep curbs on the real estate market to prevent a resurgence of the property speculation that helped drive prices to levels unaffordable for most Chinese families.

Hong Kong-listed Evergrande Real Estate Group Ltd. dropped 6.4 percent, while China Resources Land Ltd. lost 5.5 percent. China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. dropped 3.9 percent.

"I think that shows you the central government is keen to make sure restrictions on property remain in place, and there won't be any easing," said Andrew Sullivan, principal sales trader at Piper Jaffray in Hong Kong.

Financial shares were boosted by hopes that Greece would avoid a default on its debt, an event that could spark havoc among banks in Europe and beyond.

National Australia Bank rose 1.6 percent, while Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group rose 1.3 percent. Bank of China gained 1.2 percent.

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group rose 1.7 percent after announcing it would cut a total of 1,000 jobs in Australia by September.

Benchmark crude for March delivery was up 91 cents at $99.58 in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell $1.17 to settle at $98.67 on the Nymex on Friday.

In currency trading, the euro jumped to $1.3252 from $1.3170 late Friday in New York. The dollar slipped marginally to 77.59 yen from 77.60 yen.

___

AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed from Shanghai.

 

8 comments

  • Ron  •  3 months ago
    The Greek people are voting with their Molotov cocktails.
    • D Watkins 3 months ago
      Remember, OWS had threatened this very same thing. When will they start it in the USA?
  • Ron  •  3 months ago
    The Greeks have passed the austerity bill. Now let's see if they can enforce it.
    • D Watkins 3 months ago
      If the government cuts Civil Service Jobs, they can just stop paying the people if they insist on working. If companies are not required to pay the minimum wage which is now required, those not willing to work for less will be unempoyed and there will be no government money to pay them. When enough people die and enough property is destoryed, which make take several weeks or even months, and Greece become isolated from the rest of the world, it will be enfoced by the survivors without any more problems.
  • God  •  3 months ago
    ASIAN STOCKS FALLING AFTER GREEK TOOK A DUMP - by AP Writer Pamela Sampson.

    20,890.67 +106.81
    (+0.51%)
  • Patrick  •  Chicago, Illinois  •  3 months ago
    I feel so sorry for the people in Europe. They live 2.5 years longer than Americans. Have .83 murders per 100,000 to our 4.87, have 34 paid holidays to our 13, have health care for all and free universities. Of course The US lying corporate skum won't tell you that. they want you to keep working for Walmart wages. Morons
    • D Watkins 3 months ago
      They live longer because they eat healthier and get more exercise--walking more, doing more physical labor than being just a couch potato (it is part of their culture). There are fewer murders because the murder is not put in a luxuary hotel for two or three years and turned loose to make room for more. Compare prison life in Europe and that in the USA and see why people do not want to go to prison in Europe for any reason. Universities are FREE because the professor do not demand more and more money to teach and the education system there does not permit the unqualified to enter a university, thus fewer students per class. Since you live in Chicago, I wonder why you have not moved to Europe where you will live longer, have less chance of being murdered, have more holidays and free health care and education for you or your family as you do not like corporations in the USA. There is no law which keeps you in the USA although there are some laws in Europe that may keep you out if you do not meet their language and work ethic standards.
  • Anonymous  •  3 months ago
    But...ooops oil is now up, so stocks need to go down.
  • Robert Parker  •  Tampa, Florida  •  3 months ago
    dont believe it, GET OUT!!!!!! the money is given only if the first round of cuts are made. I dont see that happening in our lifetime. this news is good for 2 days at most. This is credit money that is being loaned one day it needs to be paid back. Im not talking about Greece paying it back Im talking about Germany and the USA needs to pay it back to The banks in the EU at a higher interest rate then they are lending it to greece for . Nothing good can come out of this one.
  • D L Bone  •  3 months ago
    European futures look dreadful.
  • austin  •  3 months ago
    Do you know about secret code videos of goId trading academy? Yes, it is true and it really works. I have bought their videos and making a lot of money every day.
 
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