Komatsu chief predicts end to falling China sales

Komatsu Ltd, the Japanese maker of construction equipment whose sales have fallen for seven consecutive quarters in China, expects demand from the country to recover this year, aided by stimulus spending. The world's top producer of diggers forecasts China demand to grow 5 to 10 percent in the year starting April 1, President Kunio Noji said. The yen's slide to its lowest level since May 2010 will also help boost competitiveness, he said. "Our company will see an immediate earnings improvement once demand recovers because we don't have any excess stockpiles and are able to speed production."

Hotline launched to curb illicit bank operations