Asian shares mixed

HONG KONG, June 10 (AFP): Asian markets were mixed on Friday after the Dow in New York rose for the first time in six sessions but a rate hike in South Korea and persistent fears over tightening in China kept dealers nervous. Tokyo gained 0.50 per cent, or 47.29 points, to 9,514.44 while Sydney rose 0.27 per cent, or 12.5 points, to 4,562.1. But Hong Kong dipped 0.84 per cent, or 189.46 points, to 22,420.37 while Shanghai was flat, edging up 1.80 points, to 2,705.14. Seoul dropped 1.19 per cent, or 24.75 points, to 2,046.67. The region was given an upbeat lead from New York, where markets were higher after the US trade deficit unexpectedly narrowed in April thanks to a recovery in exports and a dip in imports. The Dow rose 0.63 per cent, its first rise this month, while the broader S&P 500 added 0.74 per cent and the Nasdaq climbed 0.35 per cent. The Nikkei posted its fourth straight rise after taking several blows in recent weeks over fears for the local economy. "The Nikkei has ended in positive territory... despite a series of falls in US stocks because Japan shares are seen as undervalued," said Toshiyuki Kanayama, market analyst at Monex. Investors in Hong Kong and Shanghai were edgy as they looked to Tuesday's release of key inflation figures from Beijing to see if the government's tightening measures to cool the economy have worked.