HONG KONG, Jan 3: Asian share prices were mixed on Thursday with many investors in the region awaiting fresh data on the state of the world’s number one economy.
Hong Kong share prices rose 0.6 per cent in cautious trading after gains on Wall Street, dealers said. The key Hang Seng index gained 72.67 points to close at 11,423.52.
Dealers said sentiment on the Hong Kong bourse remained cautious ahead of the release of United States payroll and services sector economic data due Friday.
He said the new agreements signal the commitment of PCCW to deliver a more focused and cost-controlled Internet strategy.
SYDNEY: Australian share prices fell 0.8 per cent in quiet trade on profit taking in banks and media stocks.
The All Ordinaries index was down 26.0 points at 3,358.5 while the SP/ASX 200 closed down 24.2 points at 3,419.6.
Bell Potter Securities dealer Geoffrey Hill said the losses reflected typical volatility caused by modest volumes and low market participation.
SINGAPORE: Singapore stocks closed 1.7 per cent higher on buying of blue chips and technology stocks after Wall Street’s gains.
The Straits Times Index gained 28.02 points to 1,653.71 while the broader All-Singapore Equities index was up 7.66 points at 436.05.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian share prices closed 0.1 per cent higher on selective buying of blue chip stocks.
The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange composite index rose 0.65 points to finish at 683.48.
There was a lot of speculative interest because of the positive and optimistic reports on the outlook for the market. People are accumulating shares ahead of an expected surge, said a retail dealer.
MUMBAI: Share prices closed 1.2 per cent higher on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) as foreign funds purchased software-related shares and a few cement stocks.
The benchmark-30 BSE sensitive index rose 38.86 points to close at 3,308.02.
Dealers said sentiment in software shares rose after Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the country’s largest software exporter, announced a $43.5 million deal with Britain’s United Utilities Plc.
They said the mood in softwares was also positive ahead of the quarterly results of key technology companies starting next week.
JAKARTA: Indonesian share prices closed 0.5 per cent lower, led by profit-taking in blue chips with sentiment undermined by planned energy and communications price rises.
The Jakarta Stock Exchange composite index closed down 1.946 points at 381.512.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand shares rose 0.4 per cent on their first trading day for the year in light, holiday season volumes.
The NZSE-40 capital index gained 8.63 points to close at 2,061.89.
Andrew Kelleher of ASB Securities said the tiny volumes meant the movements in most stocks were almost meaningless.
It was positive but quiet. Let’s not underestimate the fact that we had a positive first trading day for 2002, he said.—AFP
