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HONG KONG, March 15: Asian stock markets closed higher on Thursday, recovering some lost ground as a bounce on Wall Street helped steady nerves after another roller-coaster ride driven by concerns over the US economic outlook, dealers said.
US stocks opened lower but then turned firmer as bargain hunters drove a gain of 0.48 per cent which allowed the Asian markets some respite.
TOKYO: Japanese share prices closed up 1.10 per cent as investors reacted with relief to an overnight rally on Wall Street that helped to steady jittery global markets, dealers said.
The TOPIX index of all issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's first section rose 19.24 points or 1.15 per cent to 1,694.18.
Gainers beat decliners 1,335 to 302, with 94 stocks flat.
Volume was 2.3 billion shares, down from 2.4 billion on Wednesday.
HONG KONG: Hong Kong share prices closed 0.70 per cent higher as blue chip China Mobile helped the market stage a rebound on expectations that it will announce strong 2006 results next week, dealers said.
SYDNEY: Australian share prices rebounded 1.93 per cent, with bargain hunters encouraged by an overnight rise on Wall Street, dealers said.
SINGAPORE: Singapore share prices closed 1.36 per cent higher with market sentiment lifted by Wall Street's rebound, dealers said.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian share prices closed 1.19 per cent higher on a technical rebound in line with regional gains after Wall Street's recovery overnight, dealers said.
JAKARTA: Indonesian share prices closed 0.8 per cent higher after a rebound on Wall Street overnight sparked fresh support following an earlier sharp sell-off, dealers said.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand share prices closed flat, with investor sentiment improving after US and major regional markets firmed in the wake of sharp falls, dealers said.The benchmark NZX-50 index rose 0.80 points to 4,054.21 on turnover of 138.6 million dollars (96.0 million US).
MUMBAI: Indian shares closed up 0.11 per cent, shedding morning gains as investors booked profit on fears of a further weakening for global markets, dealers said. — AFP
