HONG KONG, Jan 8: Asian shares closed mixed on Tuesday as investors struggled for direction but Indian and Malaysian stocks continued a good recent run to hit record highs.
The Indian stock market rose 0.29 per cent to a record close on optimism about corporate earnings while Malaysia jumped 1.3 per cent to all-time high amid speculation it could soon hold general elections.
Japanese share prices edged up 0.19 per cent and Taiwan was up 1.01 per cent.
But the region’s other key markets ended down, including a 0.5 per cent fall in Australia.
TOKYO: Japanese share prices rose for the first session in five after the market slumped to an 18-month low on jitters about the health of the US economy, dealers said.
They said shares had looked more attractive after a five per cent slump since the start of the year.
The broader Topix index of all first-section shares added 10.35 points or 0.74 per cent to 1,403.06.
Decliners outnumbered gainers 897 to 703 and 129 issues unchanged. Turnover rose to 2.1 billion shares from 2.06 billion on Monday.
HONG KONG: Hong Kong share prices closed down 0.25 per cent Tuesday, dealers said.
The Hang Seng index closed down 66.59 points at 27,112.9. Turnover was 114.87 billion Hong Kong dollar (14.73 billion US).
The market did not have very clear direction, with investors just trading for the short term, said Tony Tong of China Everbright Securities.
SYDNEY: Australian share prices closed down 0.5 per cent, dragged lower by concerns about the health of the US economy, dealers said.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index fell 33.5 points to 6,128.1 and the broader All Ordinaries index slipped 34.7 points to end the day at 6.205.7.
Turnover was 1.83 billion shares worth 4.76 billion dollars (4.15 billion US).
SINGAPORE: Singapore share prices closed 0.44 per cent lower as investors locked in profits, dealers said.The Straits Times Index fell 14.79 points to 3,338.27 on volume of 1.88 billion shares worth 1.94 billion Singapore dollars (1.35 billion US).
Banking shares declined, with DBS Group shedding 20 cents to 20.04 dollars.
City Developments led the property decliners, slipping 36 cents to 12.64 dollars.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian share prices closed 1.3 per cent higher at a fresh record amid mounting speculation that general elections could be held soon, dealers said.
The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) closed up 18.97 points at 1,489.74.
JAKARTA: Indonesian share prices closed up 0.3 per cent led by palm oil plantation stocks, dealers said.
The central bank’s expected decision to keep interest rates unchanged did not have a big impact on the market.
The Jakarta composite index closed up 9.22 points at 2,785.63.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand share prices closed 0.64 per cent lower amid continuing uncertainty in world markets, dealers said.
The benchmark NZX-50 index fell 25.17 points to 3,928.40 on turnover worth 93.4 million dollars (72.0 million US).
“The market’s continued on its trend of drifting slightly lower on relatively light volume,” said Bryon Burke of ABN Amro Craigs.
Market leader Telecom closed steady at 4.24 dollars and pay television operator Sky TV rose two cents to 5.76 dollars.
MUMBAI: Indian share prices rose 0.29 per cent to a third straight record close, dealers said.
The benchmark 30-share Mumbai stock exchange Sensex index rose 60.68 points to 20,873.33, beating the previous record close of 20,812.65 on Monday.—AFP
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