Japan's Nikkei ends marginally higher, profit-booking pares gains Updates as of 0600 GMT TOKYO, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average ended higher on Friday, tracking the Dow's overnight gains, but pared a large chunk of its early gains as investors booke d profits. The Nikkei .N225 added 0.18% to close at 38,981.75, after rising as much as 0.7% earlier in the session.

South African Markets - Factors to watch on Oct 18 JOHANNESBURG, Oct 18 (Reuters) - The following scheduled economic event, equity and currency market moves may affect South African markets on Friday. ECONOMIC EVENTS South Africa's government will hold its weekly auction of inflation-linked bonds. SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS South Africa's rand slipped against a stronger dollar on Thursday, after data showed U.S.

Japan's Nikkei trades higher after robust US retail data TOKYO, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average traded higher on Friday, after robust U.S. retail data for September lifted the Dow, but a decline in heavyweight technology stocks capped gains. The Nikkei .N225 was up 0.38% at 39,058.32 by the midday break but is set to fall 1.38% for the week.

South Korean stocks set to gain for second week KOSPI rises, foreigners net sellers Korean won strengthens against U.S. dollar South Korea benchmark bond yield rises SEOUL, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets: ** South Korean shares traded flat on Friday, but were set to log a second weekly gain as the Dow Jones Industrial Average extended its streak to end the last session at another record high.

CORRECTED-MORNING BID ASIA-Waiting for the big one ... China GDP Corrects to remove references to Malaysia GDP in paragraph 1, 'Key Developments' section; preliminary Malaysia GDP is scheduled for release on Monday By Jamie McGeever Oct 18 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets. Anyone hoping for a quiet end to the trading week in Asia will be disappointed, as investors brace for a batch of top-tier economic data on Friday that includes Japanese inflation and the main event - Chine