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HONG KONG, June 20: Asian stocks closed mostly higher on Wednesday with investors continuing to consolidate after mild gains were notched-up on Wall Street overnight where inflation jitters are easing.
Taipei turned in a stellar performance with investors playing catch-up and pushing the benchmark up 2.13 per cent to a fresh seven-year high after the market re-opened from a two day break.
Tokyo, aided by a weaker yen which makes its exports cheaper, was typical on the day with a modest rise of 0.26 per cent to its best level in four months.
However, bargain hunting knocked Singapore and South Korea off their record peaks with Singapore down 0.88 per cent and Seoul by 1.33 per cent amid concerns a correction is near.
TOKYO: Share prices closed at their highest levels in nearly four months as a weaker yen increased expectations of higher earnings at export-driven companies.
Dealers said easing concerns about the outlook for US interest rates also helped sentiment as did a positive reading of corporate sentiment.
The Nikkei-225 index rose 48.07 points to 18,211.68. Volume increased to 2.19 billion shares from 1.95 billion shares Tuesday.
HONG KONG: Share prices closed 0.47 per cent higher on record turnover as strong liquidity and continued interest in China stocks drove the benchmark index to a new all-time high.
Dealers said China stocks extended their gains as PetroChina joined the list of firms announcing plans for A-share listings on the mainland.
Local blue chips such as banks and properties saw rotational buying interest amid easing interest rate worries.
SYDNEY: Share prices closed up 0.39 per cent at a fresh record high as investors focused their attention on the wider market rather than chase the large cap majors.
Dealers said weaker metals prices and a lacklustre Wall Street performance overnight made for a negative start but investors then turned their attention to relative laggards in the market and this provided enough support for a positive finish.
The S&P/ASX 200 added 25.0 points at 6,397.0. Turnover was 2.05 billion shares worth 6.9 billion dollars (5.9 billion US).
SINGAPORE: Share prices took a breather and closed lower after three successive trading days of record highs.
Dealers said overall sentiment remains positive despite the weaker close.
The Straits Times Index fell 0.88 points to 3,628.67 on volume of 5.7 billion shares worth 3.4 billion Singapore dollars (2.2 billion US).
KUALA LUMPUR: Share prices closed 0.69 per cent higher due to follow-through buying, with the benchmark setting a fresh record high.
Dealers said aggressive buying by local funds offset losses posted by plantation stocks as well as some selling by foreign funds.
The composite index gained 9.48 points to 1,386.27 on volume of 1.77 billion shares valued at 2.66 billion ringgit (782 dollars).
JAKARTA: Share prices closed up 0.88 per cent with gains in Telkom and cement stocks helping lift the index to a fresh record close for a fourth straight day.
The composite index closed up 18.888 points at 2,161.074 on volume of 6.17 billion shares worth 5.04 trillion rupiah (563.13 million dollars).
WELLINGTON: Share prices rose 0.30 per cent in largely directionless trading.
The NZX-50 gross index rose 13.05 points to 4,323.17 on turnover worth 149.0 million dollars (113.1 million US).
Trading was focussed on selected stocks and the market was in a holding pattern, ABN Amro Craigs equities adviser Nigel Scott said.
MUMBAI: Share prices rose 0.81 per cent in volatile trade led by banks which benefitted from strong interest in an share offer by ICICI that opened this week.—AFP
