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HONG KONG, June 19: Asian stocks closed mostly higher on Tuesday but gains were mild as investors began to consolidate positions in the wake of falls on Wall Street.Rising oil prices to a nine month peak put a lid on overnight trade in New York and while the cost of crude eased in Asian trade broader sentiment in the equities markets remained sluggish.
Investors were also left wondering if stock markets had peaked for the time being after a recent rally pushed many benchmarks to record and multi-year highs.
Singapore was up just 0.16 per cent and Jakarta had a better day out with a rise of 0.74 per cent and both also ended the day at record highs.
TOKYO: Share prices closed narrowly mixed as an overnight fall on Wall Street led investors to book profits on recent gains.
Dealers said some exporters extended their gains on the back of a weaker yen but this failed to trigger wider support given the lack of stronger leads.
The Nikkei-225 index rose 14.09 points to 18,163.61, eking out a new nearly four-month peak. Volume dropped to 1.95 billion shares from 2.0 billion shares Monday.
Trading here was quiet after the retreat on Wall Street overnight, said Fumiyuki Nakanishi, chief strategist at SMBC Friend Securities.
SHANGHAI: Share prices shrugged off early weakness and closed higher, adding 0.38 per cent on follow-through interest and upbeat hopes for interim results, with telecom and property stocks in favor.
Eight domestic banks lent 3.14 billion yuan (410 million dollars) to two state-run enterprises which then diverted the funds into the markets.
SYDNEY: Share prices closed up 0.45 per cent, with some blue chip resources stocks hitting record highs.
Dealers said once again the key mining companies came to the rescue on the back of firmer metals prices after an indifferent showing on Wall Street overnight while the market overall looks likely to chalk up another record finish soon.
The S&P/ASX 200 closed up 28.6 points at 6,372.0. Turnover was 2.21 billion shares worth 7.43 billion dollars (6.24 billion US).
SINGAPORE: Share prices closed at a fresh record peak for the third straight trading session on buying in select blue chip stocks.
The Straits Times Index rose 5.76 points to 3,629.55. Volume traded was 3.94 billion shares worth 2.41 billion Singapore dollars (1.56 billion US).
KUALA LUMPUR: Share prices closed 0.33 per cent higher in line with regional markets, with the benchmark index setting a new record high.
Dealers said the continued advance of regional bourses fuelled extended buying interest locally, but gains were capped by a lack of fresh leads as well as the overnight fall on Wall Street.
The composite index rose 4.51 points to 1,376.79 on volume of 1.06 billion shares valued at 1.69 billion ringgit (492.7 million dollars).
JAKARTA: Share prices closed up 0.74 per cent led by gains in coal miners, with the main index again posting a new record finish.
Dealers said strong global demand for coal and firm prices are helping underpin interest in the miners.
The composite index closed up 15.693 points at 2,142.186. Volume was 5.57 billion shares worth 3.98 trillion rupiah (444.94 million dollars).
WELLINGTON: Share prices rose 0.16 per cent, as the focus of investors remained on potential takeover target Auckland International Airport.
Auckland Airport shares rose 12 cents to 3.32 dollars, adding to Monday's 38 cent jump after the company said a Canadian pension fund had approached shareholders to buy shares ahead of a possible bid.
The NZX-50 gross index rose 6.94 points to 4,310.12 on turnover worth 99.7 million dollars (75.5 million US).
MUMBAI: Share prices recovered 1.53 per cent led by banking stocks after Indian lender ICICI Bank's record share sale was fully subscribed on its first day.
The 30-share Sensex index rose 215.36 points to 14,295.5, snapping two days of losses.
The local portion of ICICI Bank's sale was oversubscribed 1.8 times, bankers to the issue said, indicating strong demand from funds.—AFP
