This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32910993

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Japan's Nikkei on longest rally since 1988 China's Shanghai Composite index drops more than 6%
(about 3 hours later)
Japanese shares rose for the 10th consecutive session on Thursday, marking its longest rally for more than a quarter of a century. The Shanghai Composite share index in China plunged more than 6% on Thursday, the biggest fall since January.
The index, which has risen by 50% since March, ended the day down 321.45 points, or 6.5%, at 4,620.27.
Analysts cited a number of reasons for the drop, including a number of brokerages tightening lending requirements on margin financing.
Another wave of new share offerings due next week is also expected to remove liquidity from the market.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index also ended lower, dropping 2.2% to 27,454.31.
However, shares had a better session in Japan, where the market rose for the 10th consecutive session - its longest rally for more than a quarter of a century.
Japan's Nikkei 225 index closed up 0.4% at 20,551.46, and has now chalked up its longest winning streak since a 13-day run in February 1988.Japan's Nikkei 225 index closed up 0.4% at 20,551.46, and has now chalked up its longest winning streak since a 13-day run in February 1988.
Investor confidence was boosted by retail sales data rebounding in April. Investor confidence was boosted by retail sales showing year-on-year growth of 5% in April, reversing three months of falls.
Figures showed that retail sales rose 5% from a year ago, reversing three months of falls.
The Nikkei index has gained 5% during the 10-day run.The Nikkei index has gained 5% during the 10-day run.
Shares of Honda were up 1.7% despite the automaker expanding its recall of cars in Japan over airbag inflators made by Takata to 340,000. Honda had already recalled millions of cars earlier this month.Shares of Honda were up 1.7% despite the automaker expanding its recall of cars in Japan over airbag inflators made by Takata to 340,000. Honda had already recalled millions of cars earlier this month.
China leads losses
Chinese shares fell sharply after a number of brokerages tightened lending requirements on margin financing and investors prepared for another wave of initial public listings next week.
Analysts estimate that the new listings could freeze up about 5tn yuan ($807bn; £523bn) of liquidity.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng was down 2% at 27,504.37, while the Shanghai Composite fell 3.8% to 4,757.6.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 ended 0.2% lower at 5,713.10 after data showed that business investment in the first quarter of 2015 saw the biggest fall for more than six years.In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 ended 0.2% lower at 5,713.10 after data showed that business investment in the first quarter of 2015 saw the biggest fall for more than six years.
Investment fell 4.4% in the quarter, compared with forecasts of a 2.4% drop. Investment fell 4.4% in the quarter, against forecasts of a 2.4% drop.
South Korean shares recovered from heavy falls earlier in the session, with the benchmark Kospi index closing up 0.2% at 2,117.77.South Korean shares recovered from heavy falls earlier in the session, with the benchmark Kospi index closing up 0.2% at 2,117.77.