Asian stock markets lower

Published January 12, 2002

TOKYO, Jan 11: Share prices fell on most Asian stock markets in cautious trading on Friday with investors focussing mainly on local concerns.

Trading in Tokyo was particularly cautious, with stocks dragged 0.9 per cent lower by persistent fears over the Japanese economy and the nation’s debt-stricken banking sector, brokers said.

The key Nikkei-225 index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange lost 96.84 points at 10,441.59.

Banks came under fresh pressure after reports the government’s Financial Services Agency may take share price performance into consideration as a key factor in determining whether lenders, crippled with a mountain of bad loans, need a fresh injection of public funds.

HONG KONG:Hong Kong share prices fell 0.8 per cent on the back of losses in property stocks after their recent gains.

The key Hang Seng index lost 89.61 points to close at 11,166.46.

SYDNEY:Australian shares inched 0.2 per cent higher, relying on support from the banks and gold stocks.

The benchmark All Ordinaries index gained 8.3 points to 3,360.1 while the SP/ASX 200 added 8.5 points to 3,417.6.

SINGAPORE: ingapore share prices closed 0.2 per cent lower on profit-taking in select blue chip stocks.

The Straits Times Index shed 2.57 points to 1,704.07 while the broader All Singapore Equities Index retreated 1.870 points to 448.58.

KUALA LUMPUR:Malaysian share prices fell 0.3 per cent on news the government may review the ringgit peg if the yen falls to 140 against the dollar.

The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange composite index fell 1.95 points to finish at 703.04, off a high of 710.29 and a low of 698.96.

JAKARTA:Indonesian share prices closed 2.4 per cent higher with the index ending at its highest level since last September amid continued foreign interest in blue chips.

WELLINGTON: The New Zealand share market reached its highest level in nine months to close up 0.3 per cent, buoyed by further gains in market leader Telecom.—AFP

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