Central and eastern European stocks continued to rise on Tuesday, buoyed by record copper prices and increased optimism among investors about the region’s outlook. In currency markets, the Hungarian forint rose sharply against the Swiss franc.

“Risk appetite is back among investors,” Neil Shearing, emerging markets economist at Capital Economics, told beyondbrics. “Central and eastern European stocks bucked the declining trend elsewhere today, and that may continue.” Continue reading »

Asian stocks continued their strong performance on Tuesday, as better than expected manufacturing data from the United States lifted investors.

“We’ve seen two months of positive data, which is definitely buoying investors’ expectations for 2011,” said Tim Schroeders of Melbourne-based Pengana Capital. “Signs are encouraging that things are improving.” Continue reading »

From the FT:

• Is globalisation on the retreat in 2011?, Gideon Rachman
• 2011 will be a hard year for globalisation, Joseph Stiglitz
• Eastern billions can still join the world, Nandan Nilekani
• Tata: both too expensive and not expensive enough, Lex
• Silver screen strikes gold in China, Kathrin Hille
• Renminbi goes viral, Lex

From elsewhere:

• China’s Big Zhang!, Michael Meyer, NY Times
• China’s CSR aims to be top high-speed train maker, China Daily
• Off the rails: China’s luxurious high-speed rail (pictures), Shanghaiist
• New business models for emerging markets, Harvard Business Review (subscription required)
• When oil prices rise, Russia has freedom over a barrel, Washington Post
• Brazil’s Rousseff: coming down to earth, The Economist

* Ecuador’s novel plan to save rainforest

* China’s Sinovel Wind to raise up to $1.4bn in IPO

* Foreigners abandon Polish property market

* Brazil poised to pressure Beijing on currency policy

* China promises to buy Spanish bonds Continue reading »