September 15, 2006	Friday	Sha'aban 21, 1427

HONG KONG, Sept 14: Asian stocks closed mostly higher on Thursday after further gains on Wall Street as investors welcomed easier commodity prices as a lead indicator for lower inflation and interest rates, dealers said.

They said the markets have now steadied and recovered much of the ground lost earlier in the week on concerns that falling commodities meant global demand was likely to weaken, undercutting earnings for Asia's key exporters.

TOKYO: Japanese share prices closed 1.22 per cent higher as the market was heartened by another solid session on Wall Street and forecasts of strong earnings by domestic firms, dealers said.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikkei-225 index rose 192.34 points to 15,942.39. The broader TOPIX index of all first-section stocks climbed 14.58 points or 0.92 per cent to 1,598.13.

HONG KONG: Hong Kong share prices closed 0.15 per cent weaker as investors locked in profits in blue chips after gains over the last two days, with sentiment dampened by news of a share placement by Li and Fung, dealers said.

SYDNEY: Australian share prices closed 1.06 per cent higher, extending gains on the back of a resurgent resources sector, takeover speculation and improving consumer confidence as fuel prices recede, dealers said.

SINGAPORE: Singapore share prices closed 0.44 per cent higher with investors continuing to focus on small-cap technology stocks, dealers said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian share prices closed 0.30 per cent higher on late support from local funds and bargain-hunting after recent losses, dealers said.

JAKARTA: Indonesian share prices closed 0.70 per cent higher, extending gains on support for the majors while the broader market was under pressure, dealers said.

The Jakarta Stock Exchange composite index rose 10.212 points at 1,461.292, on 1.15 billion shares worth 1.35 trillion rupiah (147 million dollars).

WELLINGTON: New Zealand share prices closed 0.26 per cent lower after the central bank head suggested further interest rate rises might be necessary to curb inflation, dealers said.

MUMBAI: Indian share prices closed 0.67 per cent higher as an IMF forecast of strong global growth this year led the benchmark Sensex above 12,000 points intraday for the first time since May, dealers said.—AFP