STOCKS NEWS ASIA-Shares set to make flat start

(For the latest on global markets, click [MKTS/GLOB])
WELLINGTON, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Asian stocks are likely to make
a cautious start on Wednesday after a mixed performance in U.S.
and European shares, with concerns over the banking sector
weighing on sentiment.

The main U.S. share indices ranged between 0.2 percent
lower and 0.4 percent higher in choppy trading, as renewed
merger activity was countered by a downgrade of the technology
sector.

British and European shares were sharply lower, as banks
fell on poor results from UBS (UBSN.VX) and shake-ups at Royal
Bank of Scotland (RBS.L) and Lloyds (LLOY.L), which agreed to
sell off some businesses to limit reliance on government
support. [ID:nL3540088]

Japanese shares are expected to open little changed, with
Nikkei futures traded in Chicago 2NKc1 5 points below the
last closing level in Osaka JNIc1.

Australian stocks are also seen flat, with share index
futures YAPcm1 at 4,530, a 1.5 point discount to the
underlying S&P/ASX 200 index's .AXJO close on Tuesday.

Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX), Australia's third biggest
lender, reported a fall in second half profit, but said bad
debts have peaked. [ID:nSYD253066]

The U.S. dollar rose to a one-month high against the euro
EUR= on concerns about the global banking sector, while the
yen JPY= was flat against the greenback.

Oil prices CLc1 rose more than 2 percent as data showing
expansion in U.S. factory orders in September raised
expectations of higher demand.

HEADLINES: > S&P and Nasdaq end higher as deal news helps
[nN03515398] > Buffett buying Burlington rail in his biggest
deal[nN03483590] > U.S. factory orders rise, bolstering
recovery [nN03499628] > Kraft profit tops
expectations,Cadbury bid awaited[nN03421549] > GM sees October
sales bounce, Chrysler plunges [nN03411936] > US sets prelim
duties on China steel wire goods [nN03509419] > Oil rises 2
pct on U.S. factory data, gold surge [nL3445644] > UAW hopes
for GM IPO 'sooner rather than later' [nN03498512] > J&J
slashing workforce,cites cost of drug research[nN03485703] >
White House warns of withdrawing stimulus too fast[nNYC003317]
> Fed meet opens, seen hewing to easy-money course [nN03503603]
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KEY INDEXES pct change

Bank of New York Asia ADR index .BKAS -0.06

Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI -0.18

Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC +0.40

MSCI Asia Pacific ex-Japan .MSCIAPJ -1.24

Nikkei futures in Chicago 2NKc1 9,825

Nikkei futures in Osaka JNIc1 9,830

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ASIAN ADR ACTION:

5 most actively traded: pct change

TSMC (TSM.N)(2330.TW) -0.73

Siliconware (SPIL.O)(2325.TW) -1.75

Infosys Tech (INFY.O)(INFY.BO) 0.67

AU Optronics (AUO.N)(2409.TW) 0.91

Lihir Gold (LIHR.O)(LGL.AX) 7.61

Top 5 performers: pct change

Lihir Gold (LIHR.O)(LGL.AX) 7.61

Shanghai Pechem (SHI.N)(0338.HK) 4.60

Prana Biotech (PRAN.O)(PBT.AX) 2.43

Mitsui & Co. (MITSY.O)(8031.T) 2.24

Tata Motors (TTM.N)(TAMO.BO) 2.22

Bottom 5 performers: pct change

Novogen (NVGN.O)(NRT.AX) -5.61

Woori Fin Gp (WF.N)(053000.KS) -5.34

SMIC (SMI.N)(0981.HK) -2.42

PT Indosat (IIT.N)(ISAT.JK) -2.41

Kookmin Bank (KB.N)060000.KS -2.27

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TOP ASIA EVENTS:

For more Asian company earnings, see [ASIA/EQTY]

JAPAN - Orix Corp (8591.T) H1 results

- Nissan Motor Co (7201.T) Q2 results

AUSTRALIA - Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX) full year results

- Coca-Cola Amatil (CCL.AX) Q3 trading update

- Telstra Corp (TLS.AX) annual meeting

- Retail trade, September
(Reporting by Adrian Bathgate)