0626 GMT [Dow Jones] ASIAN SUMMARY: Regional markets mostly higher; Nikkei +2.7%, Shanghai Composite +2.1%, S&P/ASX +0.7%, NZX-50 +0.5%, HSI +0.5%, STI +0.5%, Kospi +0.3%; but Sensex flat, SET flat. In FX markets, EUR/USD at 1.3021 vs 1.2997 late NY trade, EUR/JPY at 114.49 vs 114.37, USD/JPY at 87.94 vs 87.97. AUD/USD down at 0.8972 vs 90.18 just prior to country's 2Q CPI data coming in below expectations at +0.6% on-quarter, +3.1% on-year vs expectations of +1.0%, +3.4%, likely ensuring RBA to keep rates on hold at meeting next week, possibly until 2011. Australia Treasurer Wayne Swan says underlying inflation rate encouraging, continuing to moderate in line with official forecasts; also says while global economy's downside risks rising, Australia's outlook bright, Asia Pacific region's growth likely to remain strong for some time. BOJ policy board member Hidetoshi Kamezaki said central bank to take "proactive" steps to tackle deflation, suggesting BOJ prepared to keep extremely accommodative monetary policy while nation's economic outlook remains uncertain. South Korea's June current-account surplus totaled $5.04 billion at one-year high vs May's revised $3.82 billion. Indonesia's 1H actual investment by foreign and local investors +40% on-year at IDR92.9 trillion, says Gita Wirjawan, chairman of country's investment board. Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue said collection next year expected to exceed PHP910 billion target; could increase by more than 10% from this year's collection goal of PHP860 billion. National Bank of New Zealand's Business Outlook survey showed NZ's July business confidence eased to net 27.9% of respondents expecting conditions to improve over next 12 months vs June's 40.2%. Spot gold at $1,162.70/oz, up $1.10 vs NY close. September Nymex crude oil futures down 7 cents at $77.42/bbl. (leslie.shaffer@dowjones.com) 0614 GMT [Dow Jones] The improvement in investor appetite for riskier assets, as mirrored in recent stock market gains, is putting the Swiss franc under pressure, says Commerzbank. "When risk aversion sinks, so does the franc," says currency analyst Lutz Karpowitz. The only potential support on the horizon for CHF is Friday's KOF barometer, which is expected to hold near a four-year high. EUR/CHF at 1.3778 by 0612 GMT. (neil.maclucas@dowjones.com) 0707 GMT [Dow Jones] Morgan Stanley cuts its African Barrick Gold (ABG.LN) price target to 668p from 733p to reflect lower production guidance and higher cash cost guidance for '10 in the company's 1H numbers. Still, African Barrick has a balanced portfolio of assets, with the largest planned volume growth among London-listed gold miners, says the bank. Its strong liquidity position will not only help the company finance its organic growth, but should also provide deal-making flexibility, says the bank. Overweight. Shares -0.5% at 545p. (michele.maatouk@dowjones.com) Contact us in London. +44-20-7842-9288 Markettalk.eu@dowjones.com (END) Dow Jones Newswires July 28, 2010 04:34 ET (08:34 GMT)