Asian Markets Open For Business-issue 2

Asian markets were opening higher across the board this morning,Monday.The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.92 on optimism for a Greek debt settlement in Brussels today,as well as China's relaxation of bank reserve requirements,freeing up capital for lending.
The People's Bank of China lowered the reserve ratio requirements by 50 basis points effective Friday,24 February.The cut is expected to add 64 billion dollars to the system.The reserve requirements were last eased in November 2011.
Thailand's flood-related losses were even more devastating than previously thought.Thai GDP fell 10.7% in Q4,when it had been expected to fall just 5.0%.The Thai economy grew a minuscule 0.10% in 2011 because of the deluge.
India's stock market is closed today for the Maha Shivrati holiday,while the U.S. market is shuttered for Presidents' Day.
China's Vice President Xi Jinping signed an agreement at the end of last week's visit to the U.S. permitting a substantial increase in the number of Hollywood films allowed into China from about 20 to 34 a year.As well,the revenue allowed to U.S. filmmakers from IMAX films will be raised from 13-25%.Mr.Xi's visit is being hailed as successful in both countries.He is expected to become President in 2013 and lead China for the next 10 years.
Dreamworks Animation is opening a studio in China with two Chinese partners.The 330 million dollar complex will be built in Shanghai.
Japan posted a record trade deficit.Exports were down 9.3% on the year,while imports rose 9.8%.Tokyo says the figure is a temporary decline in exports.

Intel Expands Leading Edge

Stacy Smith is Intel's Chief Financial Officer.He describes himself as an enthusiastic generalist,not an engineer.Mr.Smith has seen Intel's operating profit rise more than 60%.Intel is working on efficiency and reducing costs.The weak dollar has helped its sales around the world,Mr.Smith revealed.Despite the economic uncertainty,we've seen relatively strong business,he added.Companies are investing for productivity even in economic uncertainty.The shift toward mobile pcs benefits us.We did five billion dollars U.S. of buybacks in the first half of the year.We get a lot of free cash flow in our business.We've seen a pretty normal climate across our business through the second quarter.Every year,we're putting in more capacity at that leading edge,so we can continue to innovate,the CFO noted.The company employs 81,800 people worldwide.It is the world's largest semiconductor manufacturer.Besides The Widget Channel,it has begun research on electricity generation and transmission.As well,Intel has partnered with Dreamworks on a 3D animation project.