March 10 (Bloomberg) -- Australian stocks gained on expectations for faster growth in the nation's retail sales. Japanese shares slid in New York as a stronger yen dimmed the earnings outlook for companies dependent on U.S. demand.

David Jones Ltd., Australia's second-biggest department store chain, gained 0.8 percent. BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's biggest mining company, declined 0.4 percent in Sydney after oil prices dropped. New York-traded securities of Canon Inc., a Japanese camera maker that expects the yen to average 90 per dollar this year, retreated 0.4 percent from the close of Tokyo trading yesterday.

Asian stock markets were mostly higher early Wednesday after U.S. markets rose for a third straight day on confidence that business leaders expect the recovery to stick.

The markets also got strength from hopes of a German-led bailout of Greece.

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average rose 0.39 percent to 10,262, while South Korea's Kospi gained 0.16 percent to 1,618.

The Shanghai composite index was little changed at 3,073.

European stock markets ended modestly higher as European leaders continued to grope toward an aid package for Greece.

Earnings disappointments weighed down some Australian stocks on Monday, while India's Bharti Airtel fell after news it was in talks to buy most African assets of Kuwait's Mobile Telecommunications.

Dubai stocks eased and the price of insuring against a default in the city-state rose to its highest level since March 2009 on news that flagship corporation Dubai World may offer creditors just 60% of the money they are owed, as part of a deal to reschedule $22 billion in debt.

feb. 8 (bloomberg) -- australian stocks rose after a two- day drop sent shares to the cheapest level in six months. japan's futures fell after the euro weakened versus the yen to a one-year low. bhp billiton ltd., the world's biggest mining company

, or 0.3 percent, to 10,404.33 and hong kong's hang seng jumped 449.90, or 2.2 percent, to 20,722.08. south korea's kospi was up 19.21, or 1.2 percent, to 1,615.02. elsewhere, shanghai's market marched 2.4 percent higher, australian stocks rose 0.9

SINGAPORE (Dow Jones)--Asian markets suffered another day of declines Wednesday, with concerns about Chinese bank lending restrictions sending Hong Kong and Shanghai shares further lower.

Indian and Australian stocks were also sold down amid fears of monetary tightening, with banks and materials shares hit hard.

China's Shanghai Composite lost 1.1%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.4% to decline for the 11th time in 12 sessions, Japan's Nikkei 225 Average and South Korea's Kospi dropped 0.7% each, and Taiwan's Taiex gave up 0.5%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 8 points in screen trade.

May 4 (Bloomberg) -- The Australian dollar rose to thehighest since October and New Zealand’s currency also gained asan expansion in Chinese manufacturing added to optimism theglobal slump is easing, spurring demand for high-yielding assets.