September 22, 2006	Friday	Sha'aban 28, 1427

HONG KONG, Sept 21: Asian stocks closed higher on Thursday, supported by a United States Federal Reserve decision to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent.

Losses were not unexpected but the market also recovered off a four per cent fall at the open raising expectations the coup will have only a limited impact on Thailand's broader economy.

TOKYO: Share prices closed 0.74 per cent higher, following the lead of Wall Street, on a rebound following losses triggered by the military coup in Thailand.

The Nikkei-225 index rose 115.56 points to 15,834.23. Volume was 1.46 billion shares, down from 1.56 billion shares Wednesday.

HONG KONG: Share prices closed 0.61 per cent higher led by China Mobile after the company announced that it signed up 4.42 million new subscribers in August.

SYDNEY: Share prices closed little changed as pressure on the banks and resources was offset by fresh merger and takeover leads which boosted investor sentiment.

SINGAPORE: Share prices closed 0.27 per cent higher, helped by gains on Wall Street after the United States Federal Reserve's decision to leave its key interest rate unchanged.

KUALA LUMPUR: Share prices closed 0.67 per cent higher after August inflation data raised hopes the central bank's key interest rate will remain unchanged.

JAKARTA: Share prices closed 1.90 per cent higher with the main index hitting a four-month high on hopes of a further local interest rate cut next month.

WELLINGTON: Share prices closed 0.42 per cent higher, as takeover talk ignited a strong rise in casino operator Sky City Entertainment.

The NZX-50 gross index was up 14.98 points at 3,532.61 on turnover worth 144 million New Zealand dollars (94 million US).

MUMBAI: Share prices closed 1.36 per cent higher, the second straight day of strong gains in leading companies as expectations for stable rates in the US were confirmed.—AFP