"Global investors should follow the growth; and when it comes to equities, Asian markets are hands down the best destination for your hard-earned dollars," notes Yiannis Mostrous.

The Asian stock specialist and editor of The Silk Road Investor explains, "Asia's macro story remains strong, though many investors distrust its beguiling simplicity.

"Among our recommended are HDFC Bank (HDB), India's second-largest private-sector institution and Dr. Reddy's (RDY), a generic drug firm.

"Asia is still the place to be if you are looking for growth," says John Christy in The Forbes International Investment Report. Here, he looks at some favored Asian banking stocks -- in Japan, India and Korea.

"While China tends to get all of the headlines, the rest of Asia is on a solid economic growth trajectory for 2008. According to the latest Economist data, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia are all expected to deliver 5%+ gross domestic product growth next year. Taiwan isn't far behind at 4.6%.

"Of course, these numbers pale in comparison to forecasts of 10% for China and nearly 8% for India, but they're nothing to be ashamed of. With forecasts for Europe, the U.S. and Japan all hovering around 2%, Asia is still the place to be if you're looking for growth.

"Stock prices reflect much of this, but there are still plenty of pockets of opportunity. Asian financials are a good example. These names have been somewhat unfairly dragged down by the global credit mess and subprime fallout.

"As a result, strong banks like Shinhan Financial (NYSE: SHG) and Woori (NYSE: WF) in Korea, and Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ (NYSE: MTU) are all trading at attractive valuations.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) reported that Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) has been ordered to pay $1.52B to Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU) for infringing patents on a fundamental technology for digital music.
• According to the Wall Street Journal's "Heard on the Street" column, shares of India's two largest private sector banking companies, Icici Bank Ltd. (NYSE: IBN) and HDFC Bank (NYSE: HDB), have tripled over the past three years. However, some investors are getting cautious on the stocks as India's central bank has taken tougher steps to rein in lending growth and stanch inflation.
• Barron's Online's (subscription required) "Weekday Trader" suggested investing in companies with modest dividend yields, but a strong cash position and business model, such as outsourcing player Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ: PAYX), fast-food giant McDonald's Corp. (NYSE: MCD) and insurer Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU).

OTHER PAPERS:

• According to German website Heise Online, Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) will exhibit at CeBIT, the European version of the CES expo, from March 15 through the 21. Apple will be exhibiting the iPhone, said the site. However, according to German website Computerwoche, Apple has denied that it is participating in CeBIT. (Both links in German)
  
• Business Week's "Inside Wall Street" column mentioned UnitedHealth (NYSE: UNH), Epix (NASDAQ: EPIX) and LJ International (NASDAQ: JADE) positively.
  
• Warren Buffet has stirred up interest in UnitedHealth by reportedly buying one million shares in the company.
• Small biotech Epix, which recently signed a deal with GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK), could double within a year, believe some experts.
• LJ International, which has already risen from slightly over $4 to over $11 since December, may still have room to rise, according to Albert Lee of Maxim Group, who has a $12 price target on the stock.
• Investor's Business Daily's "New America" column highlighted Spartan Stores (NASDAQ: SPTN), the 10th largest grocery distributor in the U.S., which has seen earnings growth in double and triple digits for nine of the past ten quarters.