STOCKS NEWS ASIA-Shares set for cautious gains

(For the latest on global markets, click [MKTS/GLOB])
WELLINGTON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Asian stocks are likely to make
a steady start on Thursday, as global stocks were firmer on the
back of a steady outlook for the U.S. economy.

The main U.S. share indices closed up to 0.3 percent
higher, after earlier rising more than 1 percent, paring gains
as the Federal Reserve held rates low as expected and said it
would keep them near zero for "an extended period", giving
investors little cause to buy stocks. [ID:nN04453484]

Wall St had made a strong start to trading after solid data
from the labour market and the services sector. [ID:nN04349022]

British and European shares close more than 1 percent
higher, gaining after the strong U.S. data, with a rebound in
miners and banks.

Japanese shares are expected to open firmer with Nikkei
futures traded in Chicago 2NKc1 55 points above the last
closing level in Osaka JNIc1.

Australian stocks are also seen improving, with share index
futures YAPcm1 at 4,544, a slender 3.9 point premium to the
underlying S&P/ASX 200 index's .AXJO close on Wednesday.

The U.S. dollar fell against most currencies after the Fed
said it expected to keep rates low for some time, however it
gained against the yen JPY=.

Oil prices CLc1 rose by more than 1 percent as a
combination of the data and the Fed statement prompted renewed
faith in recovering demand in the U.S.

HEADLINES: > US Fed sees rates near zero for "extended
period" [nN04453484] > U.S. services sector grows, job losses
slow
[nN04349022] > Wall St rally fades late after Fed; Cisco up
late [nN0458750] > ADRs gain on U.S. services sector, jobs
data [nN04430997] > Chrysler not burning cash, sees
savings-Fiat CEO [nN0421635] > News Corp quarterly revenue
falls, profit rises
[nN041893] > Cisco beats forecasts, points to recovery
[nN04515993] > Qualcomm revenue outlook misses estimates
[nN04196215] > GM's U-turn on Opel sale angers Germany,
Russia [nL4519517] > Time Warner profit beats estimates,
outlook raised[nN04537764] > LG Elec says has no knowledge of
Infineon deal [nSEO133889] > Intel hit by NY antitrust suit,
kickbacks alleged [nN04208613] > Oil rises for 3rd day on
inventory drop, Fed
[nSP538800] --

KEY INDEXES pct change

Bank of New York Asia ADR index .BKAS +0.82

Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI +0.31

Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC -0.09

MSCI Asia Pacific ex-Japan .MSCIAPJ -1.89

Nikkei futures in Chicago 2NKc1 9,875

Nikkei futures in Osaka JNIc1 9,820

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ASIAN ADR ACTION:

5 most actively traded: pct change

TSMC (TSM.N)(2330.TW) 1.79

Infosys Tech (INFY.O)(INFY.BO) 2.36

AU Optronics (AUO.N)(2409.TW) 3.83

Lihir Gold (LIHR.O)(LGL.AX) 1.76

UMC (UMC.N)(2303.TW) 2.77

Top 5 performers: pct change

Genetic Tech (GENE.O)(GTG.AX) 9.09

ICICI Bank (IBN.N)(ICBK.BO) 7.19

Mahanagar Tel (MTE.N)(MTNL.BO) 4.53

China Unicom (CHU.N)(0762.HK) 4.50

Huaneng Power (HNP.N)(0902.HK) 4.17

Bottom 5 performers: pct change

Tom Online (TOMO.O)8282.HK -7.65

Wacoal Corp. (WACLY.O)(3591.T) -3.76

Mitsubishi UFJ (MTU.N)(8306.T) -2.04

Mitsui & Co. (MITSY.O)(8031.T) -1.79

Advantest (ATE.N)(6857.T) -1.72

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TOP ASIA EVENTS:

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

JAPAN - Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) Q2 results

- Nikon (7731.T) H1 results

- Bridgestone (5108.T) Q3 results

AUSTRALIA - David Jones (DJS.AX) Q1 sales

- Leighton Holdings (LEI.AX) annual meeting

- RBA Governor Glenn Stevens speech

HONG KONG - Lenovo Group (0992.HK) H1 results

- Sino Land Co Ltd (0083.HK) annual meeting

- Zijin Mining Group Co Ltd (2899.HK) meeting
(Reporting by Adrian Bathgate)