August 16, 2006	Wednesday	Rajab 20, 1427

HONG KONG, Aug 15: Asian stocks closed narrowly mixed on Tuesday with investors taking to the wings ahead of key economic data due out of the US and possible leads on the future of interest rates.

Broadly the mood remained positive with oil prices retreating again in the wake of a ceasefire in Lebanon and the prospect that BP would maintain half of its output in a key Alaskan oil field.

However, upcoming US inflation data had on the day pushed investors into a holding pattern and this was reflected in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Taipei, Bangkok, Manila and Wellington which all closed virtually flat.

TOKYO: Share prices closed mixed, with the key Nikkei index falling slightly on profit-taking following solid gains the previous day.

The Nikkei-225 index fell 40.92 points or 0.26 per cent to 15,816.19. Volume rose to 1.63 billion shares from 1.31 billion shares Monday.

The calculation of the Nikkei-225 index functioned normally after a computer glitch Monday due to a major power outage in the Japanese capital.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's controversial visit to a war shrine had little impact on the market as he leaves office next month and he was widely expected to make the pilgrimage, dealers said.

Oil developer Inpex Holdings ended 30,000 yen lower at 1,030,000.

HONG KONG: Share prices closed flat after moving in a narrow range, as investors await key inflation data in the US and earnings results from companies including China Mobile.

SYDNEY: Share prices closed 0.71 per cent lower, as weaker-than-expected earnings reports from leading companies led to selling on the broader market.

The SP/ASX200 index closed down 35.3 points at 4,936.0 points. A total of 1.01 billion shares worth 3.54 billion dollars changed hands.

SINGAPORE: Share prices closed 0.40 per cent lower with few fresh leads to inspire the market with investors also taking to the sidelines ahead of key US economic data.

KUALA LUMPUR: Share prices closed slightly lower as investors locked in profits in blue chips ahead of the release of inflation data for July.

JAKARTA: Share prices closed 0.64 per cent higher, driven by strong interest in banks and mining shares and for a second day rallying over upbeat second quarter growth data.

WELLINGTON: Share prices closed 0.15 per cent higher, supported by gains in market leader Telecom.

The NZX-50 gross index rose 5.33 points to 3,492.23 on turnover worth 92.2 million New Zealand dollars (58.1 million US).—AFP