Optimism that the Federal Reserve will take a gradual approach to raising interest rates sent Asian equities toward their biggest weekly gain in more than a month and buoyed the region’s currencies. European stocks also rose while zinc advanced and oil traded near a three-month low. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.3 percent, extending Thursday’s 1.9 percent advance, as shares in New Zealand and Australia climbed with those in emerging markets. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.2 percent. Zinc jumped 2.1 percent. Crude in New York traded at $40.45 a barrel. Malaysia’s ringgit strengthened 1.4 percent. Investors showed few signs of unease after the U.S. central bank signaled this week it’s likely to raise interest rates next month. “The Fed has made it clear that its base case is for a lift-off in December and if they were to break that, it would be a huge, market-moving event,� said Evan Lucas, Melbourne-based strategist at IG Ltd. “It’s been very positive for markets this week, with equities responding favorably to this macro picture.� Eni SpA (ADR) (NYSE:E) engages in the oil and gas, electricity generation and sale, petrochemicals, oilfield services construction, and engineering industries. Eni SpA are trading 6.33% above their 52 week low price after the last close and -23.36% below the 52 week high. Its latest closing price was below -7.47% from the average-price of 200 days while it kept its distance from the SMA50 at -3.31% and -1.80% compared with the SMA 20. Shares of Franks International NV (NYSE:FI) were 21.82% off 52 week lows as of the latest close and -22.03% below the 52 week high. Its latest closing price was down -6.08% from the average-price of 200 days while it maintained a distance from the SMA 50 at -2.17% and -3.51% compared with the SMA 20. Franks International NV provides various engineered tubular services for the oil and gas exploration and production companies in the United States and internationally. Intelsat SA (NYSE:I) through its subsidiaries, provides satellite communications services worldwide. The stock’s latest price traded at 9.81% off 52 week lows after the closing bell and was -64.56% behind its 52 week high. Its latest closing price was -36.66% below the SMA200 while the distance from the SMA 50 and SMA 20 was -9.18% and – 1.92% respectively. Rio Tinto plc (ADR) (NYSE:RIO) is trading 9.32% higher than the 52 week low price and -26.46% below the 52 week high. The stock’s latest closing price was -12.60% above from the average-price of 200 days while it kept its distance from the SMA50 at -3.08% and -2.13% compared with the SMA 20. Rio Tinto plc a mining and metals company, finds, mines, and processes mineral resources. The company mines and produces aluminum products, including bauxite, alumina, and aluminum; copper, gold, silver, and molybdenum, as well as nickel; diamonds, titanium dioxide feedstock, borates, and salt, as well as high purity iron, metal powders, zircon, and rutile; thermal coal, coking or metallurgical coal, and uranium; and iron ore. Ryanair Holdings plc (ADR) (NASDAQ:RYAAY) provides scheduled airline service across a European route network. As of August 31, 2007, the company’s operating fleet comprised 137 Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Ryanair Holdings plc so far this year has moved up 16.06% and its monthly performance stands at 0.66%. The stock was up 35.66% from its 52 week low and was -6.08% below the 52 week high. Its latest closing price was up 11.80% from the average-price of 200 days while it kept its distance from the SMA50 at 0.06% and -1.09% compared with the SMA 20.

Source