Asian stocks were mixed Monday as news that fewer than expected European banks failed stress tests was tempered by fears US lawmakers will not agree a budget that will help avoid a catastrophic default. Hong Kong gained 0.66 per cent and Seoul fell 0.56 per cent while Sydney, Shanghai and Taipei were all flat. Tokyo was closed for a public holiday. The European Banking Authority said on Friday that... 

Office rent rates in Vietnam’s biggest cities, HCM City and Hanoi, are among the highest in over 100 markets worldwide, according to an annual report released by British real estate services firm Knight Frank last week. HCM City is the 19th and Hanoi the 21st most expensive markets with prime rents at $38 and $36.5 per square metre per month respectively, the report said. The rates are more... 

VinaCapital, an asset management and real estate development group, says its Ocean Villas luxury residential villas project underway in the central coast city of Danang has won two categories in the 2011 Asia Pacific Property Awards. The group says the category of ‘Best Golf Development’ award recognized the Ocean Villas as an integrated beachfront golf course development. Meanwhile the other... 

Foreign and Chinese carmakers unveiled plans on Tuesday to ratchet up investment and introduce new models in China as Shanghai’s auto show opened with all eyes on the world’s largest car market. World premieres at the show include Volkswagen’s new retro-styled Beetle, General Motors’ new Chevrolet Malibu, Buick Envision, and its China-only Baojun 630, and France’s PSA... 

Asia-focused banking giant HSBC said Monday that its net profit more than doubled to $13.16 billion (9.56 billion euros) last year as bad debts plunged to the lowest level since 2006. HSBC said in a results statement that pre-tax profits soared 170 per cent to $19 billion in 2010, while loan impairments and other credit risk provisions dived 47 per cent to $14.04 billion. Revenues rose 3.1 per cent... 

HCMC – Vietnam Airlines will welcome the 12 millionth passenger at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi next week, thus fulfilling its annual target for this year days earlier, said the southern regional office of the national flag carrier. The target for around 12 million passengers this year was announced by Duong Tri Thanh, deputy general director of Vietnam Airlines, at a function organized in HCMC in July...