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HONG KONG, Nov 23: Asian stocks closed mixed again on Wednesday, with the major markets picking up on signs the US Federal Reserve may be nearer-than-expected to calling a halt on hiking interest rates, dealers said.
They said that with the region currently held in check at close to record highs, news the Federal Reserve’s November 1 meeting had discussed a range of options on interest rates opened up the possibilities on the upside.
At the same time, a fresh spike in oil prices as the northern hemisphere winter sets in after an unusually warm spell may have dampened sentiment, with Tokyo’s closure for a public holiday meaning there was no lead from one of the best performing markets of late.
HONG KONG: Hong Kong share prices closed 1.19 per cent higher, moving back above the key 15,000 points level led by property stocks as concerns over the outlook for US interest rates eased, dealers said.
The Hang Seng Index was up 176.70 points at 15,062.35, off a low of 14,925.72 and a high of 15,071.23. Turnover was 21.93 billion Hong Kong dollars (2.81 billion US).
The property sub-index rose 545.71 points or 3.13 per cent at 18,005.46.
Sun Hung Kai Properties rose 1.70 to 76.40 dollars and Cheung Kong put on 2.25 at 81.20.
SYDNEY: Australian share prices closed 0.14 per cent lower in lacklustre trade as a lack of domestic leads saw the market’s strong start peter out, dealers said.
The benchmark SP/ASX 200 index fell 6.3 points at 4,616.6 while the broader All Ordinaries index shed 7.1 points to 4,562.4.
SINGAPORE: Singapore share prices closed 0.81 per cent higher, led by gains in technology and oil-related stocks, dealers said.
The Straits Times Index rose 18.48 points at 2,296.52. Volume totalled 819.40 million shares worth 840.49 million dollars (494 million US) with gainers outnumbering losers 331 to 149. Some 1,069 stocks were unchanged.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian share prices closed flat as most investors remained sidelined ahead of the release of third quarter economic data next week, dealers said.
The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index was up 0.36 points at 902.90. Losers led gainers 344 to 242, with 365 stocks unchanged and 375 untraded. Volume was 250.87 million shares worth 574.96 million ringgit (153 million dollars).
JAKARTA: Indonesian share prices closed 0.49 per cent lower on profit-taking led by index heavyweights Astra International, Telkom and Indosat, dealers said.
The Jakarta Stock Exchange composite index lost 5.214 points at 1,061.080 on volume of 802.54 million shares worth 883.27 billion rupiah (87.89 million dollars). Decliners led advancers 46 to 40, while 58 stocks were unchanged.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand share prices closed 0.59 per cent lower, depressed by a survey showing the lowest level of business confidence in the country for 17 years, dealers said.
The benchmark NZSX-50 gross index fell 19.38 points to 3,307.97 on turnover worth 153.7 million dollars (106.3 million US). Of 146 stocks traded, 64 were lower and 40 rose.
MUMBAI: Indian share prices closed 1.21 per cent higher after two days of profit-taking, dealers said.
The BSE Sensex 30-share index was up 103.37 points at 8,638.34.—AFP
