Singapore and Australia's economies are growing

2/9 Singapore’s GDP may fall less than predicted at 3.6 % in 2009 as manufacturing improves, said a survey of economists by the central bank.

2/9 Fixed-line phone networks supplier Alcatel-Lucent SA plans to raise some US$1.23 bil in convertible bonds sales to refinance debt.

2/9 Australia’s GDP unexpectedly grew 0.6% in the second quarter from a year earlier on consumer spending, said Statistics Bureau.

2/9 Nymex crude oil in electronic trade increased 48c to US$68.53 per barrel while CPO third-month futures decreased RM 52 to RM 2,251 per tonne at 1:45 pm

2/9 The Dow shed 185.68 points, or 1.96% to 9,310.60 and Crude oil prices dived USD1.91 to USD 68.05 per barrel in overnight trading.