Asian markets mostly up
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
HONG KONG, May 25 (AFP): Asian stock markets were mostly higher Monday as investors shrugged off an underground nuclear test by North Korea early in the day.
TOKYO: Up 1.31 per cent. The Nikkei-225 rose 121.19 points to 9,347.00.
A weaker yen was also able to boost exporters.
Investors held their nerve following North Korea's announcement that it had carried out an underground nuclear test that was more powerful than its previous one in October 2006.
HONG KONG: Up 0.35 per cent. The Hang Seng Index ended 59.30 points up at 17,121.82.
Property developers led the gains on investor optimism of a sustained recovery in the private residential market, driven by attractive mortgage rates and stronger liquidity.
SYDNEY: Down 0.63 per cent. The S&P/ASX 200 fell 23.70 points to 3,737.9.
SHANGHAI: Up 0.48 per cent. The Shanghai Composite Index, which covers A and B shares, rose 12.41 points to 2,610.01.
Brokerages rose on hopes of increased revenue after regulators said they may resume initial public offerings next month, dealers said.
TAIPEI: Flat. The weighted index edged down 2.83 points or 0.04 per cent to 6,734.46.
The market had opened up 1.51 per cent, led by the construction sector on hopes that Chinese capital will be allowed into local commercial properties, dealers said. But then profit-takers sold off.
SEOUL: Down 0.20 per cent. The KOSPI ended down 2.85 points at 1,400.90.
The market shrugged off news that North had carried out a nuclear test, dealers said.
Samsung Electronics shed 0.91 per cent to close at 545,000 won. SK Telecom gained 1.98 per cent to 180,000.
SINGAPORE: Up 0.99 per cent. The blue-chip Straits Times Index (STI) rose 22.19 points to 2,267.46.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shares closed up 0.75 per cent amid buying interest in key heavyweights, dealers said.
The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index gained 7.88 points to 1,053.14, with advancers outnumbering losers 512 to 151.
BANGKOK: Down 0.63 per cent. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index fell 3.51 points to close at 550.51.
Investors were worried about official data showing the country's economy had entered a recession, dealers said.
JAKARTA: Up 0.49 per cent. The Jakarta Composite Index rose 9.26 points to close at 1,890.97.
The market is at a record high for the year.
MANILA: Up 0.76 per cent. The composite index gained 17.73 points to finish at 2,334.62.
"The market is moving sideways but with an upward bias. An expected rate cut Thursday is also providing some spark," Astro del Castillo, of First Grade Holdings, said.
WELLINGTON: Down 0.74 per cent. The NZX-50 index fell 20.35 points to 2,740.20.
Financial markets were also cautious ahead of the government's budget Thursday, with concerns about any possible ratings agency downgrades.
TOKYO: Up 1.31 per cent. The Nikkei-225 rose 121.19 points to 9,347.00.
A weaker yen was also able to boost exporters.
Investors held their nerve following North Korea's announcement that it had carried out an underground nuclear test that was more powerful than its previous one in October 2006.
HONG KONG: Up 0.35 per cent. The Hang Seng Index ended 59.30 points up at 17,121.82.
Property developers led the gains on investor optimism of a sustained recovery in the private residential market, driven by attractive mortgage rates and stronger liquidity.
SYDNEY: Down 0.63 per cent. The S&P/ASX 200 fell 23.70 points to 3,737.9.
SHANGHAI: Up 0.48 per cent. The Shanghai Composite Index, which covers A and B shares, rose 12.41 points to 2,610.01.
Brokerages rose on hopes of increased revenue after regulators said they may resume initial public offerings next month, dealers said.
TAIPEI: Flat. The weighted index edged down 2.83 points or 0.04 per cent to 6,734.46.
The market had opened up 1.51 per cent, led by the construction sector on hopes that Chinese capital will be allowed into local commercial properties, dealers said. But then profit-takers sold off.
SEOUL: Down 0.20 per cent. The KOSPI ended down 2.85 points at 1,400.90.
The market shrugged off news that North had carried out a nuclear test, dealers said.
Samsung Electronics shed 0.91 per cent to close at 545,000 won. SK Telecom gained 1.98 per cent to 180,000.
SINGAPORE: Up 0.99 per cent. The blue-chip Straits Times Index (STI) rose 22.19 points to 2,267.46.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shares closed up 0.75 per cent amid buying interest in key heavyweights, dealers said.
The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index gained 7.88 points to 1,053.14, with advancers outnumbering losers 512 to 151.
BANGKOK: Down 0.63 per cent. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index fell 3.51 points to close at 550.51.
Investors were worried about official data showing the country's economy had entered a recession, dealers said.
JAKARTA: Up 0.49 per cent. The Jakarta Composite Index rose 9.26 points to close at 1,890.97.
The market is at a record high for the year.
MANILA: Up 0.76 per cent. The composite index gained 17.73 points to finish at 2,334.62.
"The market is moving sideways but with an upward bias. An expected rate cut Thursday is also providing some spark," Astro del Castillo, of First Grade Holdings, said.
WELLINGTON: Down 0.74 per cent. The NZX-50 index fell 20.35 points to 2,740.20.
Financial markets were also cautious ahead of the government's budget Thursday, with concerns about any possible ratings agency downgrades.