March 13, 2007	Tuesday	Safar 23, 1428

HONG KONG, March 12: Asian stock markets closed higher again on Monday, recovering to within sight of levels seen just before the global equity sell-off sparked by heavy losses in Shanghai earlier this month, dealers said.

TOKYO: Japanese share prices rebounded for a third straight trading day as investors cheered an upgrade to domestic fourth-quarter growth, dealers said.

HONG KONG: Hong Kong share prices closed sharply higher, gaining 1.61pc, led by the property sector on expectations that a government land auction Tuesday will see aggressive bidding from major developers, dealers said.

SYDNEY: Australian share prices closed 1.04pc higher, as investors welcomed the latest US economic data, including key jobs figures, as positive overall, dealers said.

SINGAPORE: Singapore share prices closed 1.24 per cent higher as investors continued to buy attractively valued stocks after the recent sell-off, with sentiment bolstered by firmer regional markets, dealers said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian share prices closed 1.26pc higher led by blue-chips, banking and plantation stocks, as the key index breached the 1,200 level for the first time since the recent meltdown, dealers said.

JAKARTA: Indonesian share prices closed 1.70pc higher, helped by rising regional markets and unexpectedly good results from many local firms, dealers said.

WELLINGTON: New Zealand share prices closed 0.20pc higher in mixed trade, continuing a series of modest gains, dealers said.

MUMBAI: Indian share prices closed 0.14pc higher in choppy trade with investors concerned about the possibility of higher interest rates in Asia.—AFP