China Netcom raised more than $1 billion from its initial public offering, while South Korea has acted to jumpstart its economy. China Netcom, the country's leading fixed-line phone operator, will use proceeds from its initial public offering to expand its network and pay off bank loans. The company sold about one billion shares at $1.9 each, and the shares start trading on the New York Stock Exchange in the United States and on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange this week. Paul Budde, a telecommunications analyst in Australia, says investors were drawn to the stock because they felt Netcom's extensive network will outweigh any difficulties of doing business in China. "The simple reason is its huge potential and that people take the risk to accept the uncertainties that any investment in China brings with it," said Mr. Budde. The South Korean government plans to pump up the country's sagging economy, unveiling a $9 billion stimulus package.