0
HONG KONG, Aug 23: Asian stocks closed flat and tending lower on Wednesday with investors retreating to the sidelines amid renewed concerns over US interest rates and Iran's nuclear program.
Dealers said the markets were afflicted by a bout of nerves as US officials said they would study Tehran's offer aimed at ending a nuclear standoff with a call for more talks.
Chicago Federal Reserve Bank president Michael Moskow also left his mark on the day after he said in a speech that more rate hikes could be required to dampen US inflation.
In Australia, investors were also sidelined ahead of BHP Billiton's profits which came in at a record US$10.45 billion .
TOKYO: Share prices eased back from three-month highs Wednesday as investors took profits amid concerns about US interest rates and Iran's nuclear program.
The Nikkei-225 index closed down 18.14 points or 0.11 per cent at 16,163.03. Volume fell to 1.60 million shares from 1.66 million on Tuesday.
HONG KONG: Share prices closed 0.36 per cent lower following comments by a US Federal Reserve official suggesting that the Fed may resume its campaign of interest rate increases.
The Hang Seng Index closed down 61.36 points at 17,088.39. Turnover was 22.14 billion Hong Kong dollars (US$2.8bn).
SYDNEY: Share prices closed 0.12 per cent higher as investors awaited the full-year profit report of index leading resource stock BHP Billiton after the market close.
The SP/ASX 200 rose 6.1 points to 5,082.3. A total of 1.19 billion shares worth 4.69 billion dollars (3.6 billion US) changed hands.
SINGAPORE: Share prices closed 0.35 per cent lower on renewed worries over the possibility of more rate hikes in the United States.
KUALA LUMPUR: Share prices closed higher as worries over higher interest rates eased on a central bank assurance thatinflation is likely to moderate in the second half of the year.
JAKARTA: Share prices closed 0.25 per cent higher on bargain-hunting led by index heavyweights Gudang Garam and INCO.
WELLINGTON: Share prices closed 0.96 per cent higher, after big rises in leading stocks Telecom and Fletcher Building.
The NZX-50 gross index rose 33.30 points to 3,460.08 on turnover worth 120.8 million New Zealand dollars (77.1 million US).
MUMBAI: Share prices closed down 0.83 per cent, slipping for a second straight trading session, amid continued profit-booking following a sharp run-up in previous weeks.—AFP
