HONG KONG, Feb 12: Asian markets continued to fall on Thursday as all eyes remained on the United States where a banking bailout deal received a cool response while a new stimulus is going through Congress.

Japan dived more than three per cent following a domestic public holiday during which the region’s bourses dropped on disappointment over the Obama administration’s plans to save the financial sector.

Hong Kong was 2.3 per cent off, dragged down by the Nikkei and fears over corporate earnings, while Singapore lost 2.15 per cent and Taipei 2.39 per cent.

However, Sydney ended 1.2 per cent higher.

Investors remained apprehensive for a second day Thursday after the US Treasury’s action plan to save the banking sector failed to provide any details.

News that a massive new economic stimulus plan was on the verge of being passed in Washington failed to lift spirits.

TOKYO: Down 3.03 per cent. The Nikkei-225 index fell 240.58 points to end at 7,705.36, the lowest close since January 26.

The market was helped lower by a stronger yen.

As the Japanese markets were closed on Wednesday, they are just catching up with the fall on Wall Street, said Seiichi Suzuki, a market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Securities.

Nomura Holdings dropped 5.9 per cent to 479 yen while Canon shed 6.6 per cent to 2,405 yen.

HONG KONG: Down 2.3 per cent. The Hang Seng Index ended 310.91 points down at 13,228.30.Traders said they expected declines to continue over the next few weeks as companies announce what are likely to be disappointing 2008 results.

Bank of East Asia slid 6.6 per cent to $16.40.

Alumina and aluminium producer Chalco ended 4.8 per cent lower at 4.19 dollars. Its parent, Chinalco, struck a 19.5 billion-dollar deal with Rio Tinto, the largest-ever Chinese investment overseas.

SYDNEY: Up 1.2 per cent. The SP/ASX200 gained 39.9 points to 3,514.3.

Financials and materials accounted for most of the rise, while trading in miner Rio Tinto was halted before its full year results and its announcement of the deal with Chinalco.

Commonwealth rose 3.4 per cent to 30.95 dollars and ANZ lost 1.1 per cent to 11.89.

BHP Billiton closed up 0.3 per cent at 32.47 after spiking at 33.35 on reduced expectations of the large rights issue by Rio.

SINGAPORE: Down 2.15 per cent. The Straits Times Index fell 37.01 points to 1,684.96.Trading was cautious due to a lack of catalysts.

Bank shares fell, with United Overseas Bank shedding 20 cents to 11.04.

CapitaLand slid seven cents to 2.67.

Singapore Airlines fell 44 cents to 10.44 and Singapore Telecommunications dropped seven cents to 2.45.

KUALA LUMPUR: Down 0.3 per cent. The KLCI slipped 2.47 points to close at 894.60.

JAKARTA: Flat. The Jakarta Composite Index rose 0.1 per cent or 0.6 points to 1,325.42 in thin trade.

Overall sentiment remained cautious amid selling in commodity-related stocks on lower oil prices, a trader told Dow Jones Newswires.

Bank Rakyat rose 3.7 per cent to 4,225 rupiah and Bank Mandiri gained 2.3pc to 1,780.

Coal miner Bumi Resources fell four per cent to 730 rupiah.

MUMBAI: Down 1.59 per cent. The Sensex fell 152.71 points to 9,465.83.

WELLINGTON: Up 0.73 per cent. The NZX-50 index gained 19.92 points to 2,750.15.

Fletcher Building ended the day four cents up at $5.54, from an intraday high of 5.70, after it led off the corporate reporting season showing a 27 per cent profit fall for the half-year to December.—AFP