April 5, 2006	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 6, 1427

HONG KONG, April 4: Asian stocks consolidated recent sharp gains on Tuesday as investors waited for the US employment report due Friday for the lead it may give on the outlook for US interest rates, dealers said. They said that with most markets in record territory or at levels last seen nearly six years ago in the dot.com boom, there was plenty of room for periodic profit-taking while the overall tone remained very strong.

Against that backdrop, the regional advance looks set to continue, with most markets still seen offering good value.

TOKYO: Japanese share prices snapped a seven-day winning streak as investors took profits after the market’s rise to more than five-year highs, dealers said.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange’s benchmark Nikkei-225 index lost 40.40 points or 0.23 per cent to 17,292.91, after hitting a high of 17,410.30. The index had previously risen for seven straight trading days.

HONG KONG: Hong Kong share prices closed 0.23 per cent higher after trading in a narrow range as select blue chips attracted follow-through interest, dealers said.

SYDNEY: Australian share prices closed 0.35 per cent lower as weakness in the banking sector broke a four-day record breaking streak, dealers said.

The benchmark SP/ASX 200 fell 18.0 points to 5,162.5 while the broader All Ordinaries shed 16.8 points to 5,116.3.

Turnover was 1.73 billion shares worth 4.71 billion dollars (3.4 billion US), with 630 shares down, 547 up and 301 unchanged.

SINGAPORE: Singapore share prices closed 0.63 per cent lower as investors took profit following recent sharp gains, dealers said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian share prices closed 0.32 per cent higher on interest in blue chips in late trade, dealers said.

JAKARTA: Indonesian share prices closed 0.22 per cent lower, with blue-chip Telkom and cement stocks hit by profit-taking, dealers said.

WELLINGTON: New Zealand share prices closed 0.92 per cent higher, continuing a record-breaking run on the back of positive news leads on leading stocks, dealers said

MUMBAI: Indian share prices put in another record-breaking performance, adding 0.64 per cent as overseas and domestic funds bought into mid-sized companies and bank stocks, dealers said.—AFP