Sri Lanka *market update* Asian stocks mixed, Japan down, Brent at USD52.51

Asian stocks retreated from a six-week high as the Yen grew stronger as did crude oil. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped 0.1 percent to 132.19.  Japan’s Topix index slipped 0.4 percent as the yen headed for a third day of gains while South Korea’s Kospi index was little changed. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index and New Zealand’s S&P/NZX 50 Index both increased 0.2 percent. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index has risen for nine days in a row through Wednesday, notching up a gain of 5.9 percent.

In Oil – Brent crude LCOc1 settled up USD1.07, or 2.08 percent at USD52.51 a barrel, while U.S. crude CLc1 settled up 87 cents, or 1.73 percent, at USD51.23.