Asian stocks higher

Published November 23, 2006

HONG KONG, Nov 22: Asian stocks rallied to a sharply higher close on Wednesday with investors moving in after a meek and mixed performance by the markets over the past week.

A squaring up of positions helped Tokyo to a rise of 1.14pc while Hong Kong gained 1.28 per cent and managed a record close, and this lent support to benchmarks elsewhere in the region.

TOKYO: Share prices rallied as investors set aside worries over the local economy and scooped up beaten-down stocks.

Dealers said many participants were squaring their positions on the eve of market holidays in Japan and the United States on Thursday.

The Nikkei-225 gained 180.09 points or 1.14 per cent to 15,914.23. Volume rose to 1.75 billion shares from 1.65 billion on Tuesday.

HONG KONG: Share prices finished 1.28 per cent higher, with the index closing at another record high, led by China Mobile and other mainland-linked stocks.

SYDNEY: Share prices closed 1.64 per cent higher, buoyed by fresh interest in the key resource stocks and as a surprise offer for flag carrier Qantas sparked sharp gains in the stock.

The media sector has already seen a series of deals following the recent liberalisation of ownership rules, with consolidation in the industry expected in a big way next year, and so the Qantas news put more companies in the spotlight.

JAKARTA: Share prices rose 1.43 per cent to close at a new record finish Wednesday, on the back of buying in blue chip stocks by foreign investors.

WELLINGTON: Share prices closed 0.09 per cent lower in very heavy trade. The benchmark NZX-50 slipped 3.58 points to 3,817.60 on turnover worth 406 million dollars (270 million US).

MUMBAI: Share prices closed up 0.66 per cent to a fresh record high as overseas funds continued to buy heavily into index and mid-cap companies.—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...
Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...