January 7, 2006	Saturday	Zilhaj 6, 1426

HONG KONG, Jan 6: Asian stocks closed mixed Friday as investors paused for breath after another week of record finishes and multi-year highs brought in the new year, dealers said.

They said the markets basically continued where they left off in 2005 after getting a key boost from signs US interest rates are close to peaking out even as economic growth continues strong and inflation remains contained.

There are few concerns too about oil prices which should begin to ease later in the first quarter as the season of peak demand in the northern hemisphere winter passes.

On the day, Seoul, up 1.24 per cent to finish well above the key 1,400 points level, and Jakarta up 0.93 per cent, were both in record-breaking form while Mumbai added 0.23 per cent to fall just short.

TOKYO: Japanese share prices closed little changed as many investors sat on the sidelines ahead of keenly waited US employment data as well as a three-day weekend in Japan, dealers said.

They said technology stocks received a boost from a rise in the US tech-rich NASDAQ index which hit its highest close since May 2001 but profit-taking in many other sectors weighed on the main indices.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange’s benchmark Nikkei-225 index added 2.84 points to 16,428.21, the highest close since September 20, 2000.

HONG KONG: Hong Kong share prices closed 0.48 per cent higher, extending the strong run seen so far in the new year on continued positive sentiment arising from easing interest rate worries, dealers said.

SYDNEY: Australian share prices closed 0.47 per cent lower as investors took profits on mining stocks after metal prices fell overnight, dealers said.

SINGAPORE: Singapore share prices closed 0.71 per cent higher, extending gains above the key 2,400 points level led by the banks, dealers said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian share prices closed 0.55 per cent higher on continued buying by institutional funds, which are accumulating Asian stocks in hopes the credit tightening cycle in the US is coming to an end, dealers said.

JAKARTA: Indonesian share prices closed up 0.93 per cent at another record high as a stronger rupiah revived interest in banks, dealers said.

WELLINGTON: New Zealand share prices closed 0.33 per cent lower following a lacklustre session at the end of a holiday-shortened week, dealers said.

MUMBAI: Indian share prices rose 0.23 per cent to close just short of the record high on continued foreign investor interest, dealers said.

The Mumbai 30-share Sensex index added 22.55 points to 9,640.29.—AFP