Currencies give back ground overnight…  Don’t look too closely at U.S. data…  India posts strong GDP…  Lots O’-data this week! And Now… Today’s Pfennig!

Investors who pay attention to Japan’s looming election can expect to be well-rewarded for their time.  Normally, we confess, Japanese elections don’t matter much, because the same guys always win. However, this one – set for Aug. 30 – looks different: It may actually bring about the first real change in Japan’s government in 55 years. That’s important.

Ten years ago, Asian equities paid pitifully low dividends following the bull market in the late 1990s. But that’s all starting to change as many markets in the region now offer higher dividend payouts than the S&P 500 and many European equity markets…

Risk Assets soar!  German Investor Confidence surprises!  High yielders kicking tail…  Who’s afraid of the SNB? And Now… Today’s Pfennig!

Anyone who has ever visited Japan knows it to be a country where everything works beautifully – and with great efficiency. Right now, however, it’s clear that something has gone horribly wrong there.

Japan’s stock market has been in a long, secular bear market for two decades. But that has been punctuated by fierce rallies. Martin Hutchinson says another spike could be on the cards next year as the Nikkei tests its 2003 low. He picks three Japanese stocks with a strong bounce potential in a market recovery.

The masks are coming off. It’s the end of the party, now we get to see what people really look like. And it’s not a pretty sight.

The recent devastation in global stock markets makes US bears look relatively cuddly. Japan’s Nikkei index is hitting 26-year lows. And the resurgent Yen is creating even more problems for Japanese exporters. Andrew Snyder says companies like Sony (NYSE:SNE) and Toyota (NYSE:TM) face a very difficult period ahead.

Overseas markets surged early Tuesday as government-backed bank-bailout plans in the United States, Europe and Japan persuaded investors to jump back into stocks.

Nomura Holdings Inc. (ADR: NMR) yesterday (Monday) snapped up bankrupt Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.’s (OTC: LEHMQ) Asia assets, and is close to inking a deal for its European units as well. Tokyo-based Nomura will pay $225 million for Lehman’s Asia-Pacific operations. As part of deal, Nomura will take on 3,000 former Lehman employees in the region.