Asia News

Asian stocks rose for the sixth time since mid-December as higher corporate earnings countered Standard & Poor’s cut of Japan’s credit rating and concern that Chinese policy makers will tighten monetary policy.

Pakistan’s central bank unexpectedly left its benchmark interest rate unchanged even as inflation accelerated to the fastest pace in Asia.

Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan defended the government’s proposed A$1.8 billion ($1.79 billion) levy to help rebuild flood-ravaged Queensland, saying the tax is “very, very modest.”