January 1, 2002	Tuesday	Shawwal 16, 1422

HONG KONG, Dec 31: Asian shares were mixed Monday in mostly subdued trade ahead of the New Year break.

Many markets in the region were closed Monday for New Year’s Eve, including Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea and the Philippines.

Hong Kong share prices dropped 0.3 percent in quiet trading, with most investors staying out of the market during the half-day session ahead of the New Year holiday, dealers said.

The key Hang Seng index lost 34.38 points to close at 11,397.21.

The market will be closed on Tuesday for New Year’s Day and trading will resume on Wednesday.

SYDNEY: Australian share prices closed 0.1 per cent lower on profit taking ahead of the New Year break.

The All Ordinaries index decline 3.9 points to 3,359.9 while the SP/ASX 200 closed down 4.8 points at 3,422.3.

SINGAPORE: Stocks closed 0.1 per cent lower in thin trading volumes with most institutions having already closed their books for the year.

The Straits Times Index was down 2.38 points at 1,623.60, while the broader All-Singapore Equities Index gained 0.23 points to 426.33.

Financial markets in Singapore were open for a half day on New Year’s Eve.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian share prices closed 0.6 per cent higher due to last-minute window dressing activity in select blue chip stocks.

The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange composite index rose 4.45 points to finish at 696.09, barely changed from its close at the end of 2000 at 694.64.

The market rose suddenly just before the close, an institutional dealer said.

MUMBAI: Share prices closed 2.5 per cent higher on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) amid the first sign of progress in resolving India’s military stand-off with Pakistan.

The benchmark-30 share BSE sensitive index rose 77.89 points to close at 3,262.33.

WELLINGTON: New Zealand shares closed 0.3 per cent lower in a quiet end to a strong year.

The NZSE-40 capital index closed 7.61 points down at 2,053.29 after a half day’s trading ahead of the New Year break.

For the full year, however, the sharemarket rose about eight per cent, a performance which put the New Zealand market amongst the world’s best performers.—AFP