0
HONG KONG, Jan 29: Asian stocks closed mixed on Monday with investors focussing on domestic issues after a lacklustre performance by Wall Street at the end of last week left the region bereft of a solid lead.
Bargain hunting in response to the recent sharp sell-off pushed Singapore up 1.33pc, Kuala Lumpur gained 0.65 per cent and Jakarta rose 0.33 per cent while Shanghai rose 2.18 per cent.
But elsewhere, tie-ups in steel resulted in a 0.28pc gain in Tokyo and Manila rose 0.46pc with investors positioning ahead of the release of 2006 growth figures. Wellington gained 0.37pc.
Further changes to foreign investment rules pushed Bangkok down 0.57pc, lower metal prices led Sydney down 0.16pc and the prospect of slower Chinese growth resulted in Taipei dropping 0.89pc.
TOKYO: Share prices closed up 0.28pc on hopes for the upcoming corporate earnings season with steelmakers leading gains on expectations of further tie-ups in the sector.
HONG KONG: Share prices closed 0.22pc weaker led by blue chips HSBC and China Mobile ahead of the expiry of January futures contracts on Tuesday.
The benchmark Hang Seng Index closed down 44.45 points at 20,236.68. Turnover was 36.98 billion Hong Kong dollars.
SEOUL: Share prices extended declines for a third trading day to close 0.60pc lower on Monday, with Samsung Electronics and other IT stocks falling sharply on concerns over the outlook for the chip industry.
TAIPEI: Share prices closed 0.89pc lower after Wall Street's lacklustre performance on Friday. The weighted index lost 69.53 points at 7,751.79 on turnover of $2.57 billion.
SHANGHAI: Share prices closed 2.18pc higher, building on Friday's rebound as volumes continued very heavy and investors sought out telecom and steel companies.
Dealers said the gains came as fears that regulators could hike interest rates faded but stocks could nevertheless soon face fresh pressure if the government were to renew efforts to slow Asia's second-largest economy.
SYDNEY: Share prices edged lower as post-holiday profit-taking ended a stellar run of four consecutive record closes, with lower metal prices weighing on resource stocks.
However, dealers expected bumper profit reports from index-leading resource giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton in the upcoming earnings seasons would boost the local market.
SINGAPORE: Share prices rebounded to close 1.33pc higher as investors pounced on index-linked stocks after last week's decline.
Dealers said buying was focused on index-linked stocks ahead of corporate earnings results and the government's latest budget to be announced next month.
KUALA LUMPUR: Share prices closed 0.65pc higher on renewed interest in blue chips as investors remained bullish on the market's near to medium-term outlook.
The composite index gained 7.64 points at 1,177.53 on volume of 1.40bn shares worth $582.9m.
BANGKOK: Share prices closed 0.57pc lower as the baht strengthened and as the Bank of Thailand gave a boost to bonds by loosening some of its capital control rules.
JAKARTA: Share prices closed 0.33pc higher on a technical rebound led by Telkom and Indofood after last week's sell-off. The composite index closed up 5.789 points at 1,764.995 on volume of 1.7bn shares worth $181.92 million.
WELLINGTON: Share prices closed 0.37pc higher in light trade due to a holiday in Auckland, the country's largest city. The NZX-50 gross index rose 15.48 points to 4,136.34 on turnover of $46.5 million.
MUMBAI: Share prices fell 0.5pc with investors locking in gains ahead of an expected interest rate hike on Wednesday when markets reopen following a public holiday.
Dealers said trading was selective and cautious on mixed Asian trends with investors reluctant to build up large positions.—AFP
