Asian shares mixed after Wall St rally

Asian shares were mixed Thursday after the Dow on Wall Street ticked up another record high in response to strong earnings and a positive outlook on the US economy by the Federal Reserve. An early rally in response to the US gains fizzled towards the end of the day as profit-takers moved in. Tokyo ended flat, edging down 9.04 points to finish at 15,370.26 as the yen strengthened against the dollar, while Sydney was marginally higher, adding 3.54 points to 5,522.4 and Seoul gained 0.37 per cent, or 7.42 points, to 2,020.90. Shanghai lost 0.57 per cent, or 11.69 points, to 2,055.59 while Hong Kong was a touch lower, dipping 2.41 points to 23,520.87. On Wall Street the Dow jumped 0.45 per cent to a new record, while the S&P 500 gained 0.42 per cent and the Nasdaq added 0.22 per cent. On currency markets the dollar dipped to 101.49 yen in Asian trade from 101.69 yen in New York Wednesday. The euro bought $1.3530 and 137.33 yen in Tokyo, against $1.3524 and 137.55 yen in US trade. Oil prices extended gains after a bullish US supply report indicated robust demand in the world's top crude consumer. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for August delivery rose 83 cents to $102.03 while Brent crude for September gained 39 cents to $107.56 in late trade. Gold was at $1,302.90 by 1040 GMT compared with $1,298.75 late Wednesday. Taipei fell 0.81 per cent, or 76.49 points, to 9,408.24. Hon Hai shed 0.93 per cent to Tw$106.5 while smartphone maker HTC was 0.73 per cent lower at Tw$136.0. Wellington was almost unchanged, dipping 1.86 points to 5,112.39. Contact Energy eased 0.19 per cent to NZ$5.34 and Freightways lost 0.59 per cent to end at NZ$5.02. Manila closed 0.49 per cent higher, adding 33.32 points to 6,867.36. Philippine Long Distance Telephone rose 0.80 per cent at 3,030 pesos and Ayala Land added 0.16 per cent to 30.85 pesos. Bangkok rose 0.34 per cent, or 5.24 points, to 1,535.66. TMB Bank soared 7.41 per cent to 2.90 baht, while Bangchak Petroleum gained 4.17 per cent to 31.25 baht. Singapore was flat, edging up 2.46 points to 3,306.89. Oil rig maker Keppel Corp eased 0.09 per cent to Sg$10.85 while DBS Bank gained 0.76 per cent to Sg$17.33 Kuala Lumpur slipped 3.57 points, or 0.19 per cent, to end at 1,883.14. British American Tobacco rose 2.79 per cent to 70 ringgit, and AirAsia gained 2.14 per cent to close at 2.39 ringgit, while Astro Malaysia Holdings lost 2.69 per cent to end at 3.26 ringgit. Jakarta fell 0.84 per cent, or 42.73 points, to 5,071.20. Telecommunications services company Indosat gained 0.13 per cent to 3,800 rupiah while state miner Aneka Tambang lost 1.32 per cent to 1,125 rupiah. Mumbai was flat, closing up 11.44 points at 25,561.16. Crompton Greaves surged 13.45 per cent to 210.85 rupees, while TTK Prestige rose 9.11 per cent to 3,812.85 rupees, according to AFP.