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ASIAN stocks closed mixed yesterday after another batch of disappointing economic figures in the US shoved Wall Street into negative territory and sent regional players into the wings. However, the extent of the sell-off and a turnaround in early European business led to late bargain hunting which eased some of the pressure and allowed a few markets to end the day slightly higher.

TOKYO: Japanese share prices lost ground for a second straight day.

The Nikkei-225 index dropped 102.05 points to 12,604.58. Volume rose to 1.673 billion shares from 1.575 billion on Wednesday.

SYDNEY: Australian share prices closed down 0.2 per cent on weaker financial stocks, although gains in miners BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto limited the market’s losses. The S&P/ASX 200 closed down 9.8 points at 5,371.6. A total of 1.54 billion shares worth A$5.35 billion was traded.

SHANGHAI: Chinese share prices plunged 5.42 per cent, the sharpest percentage decline in two months. The Shanghai Composite Index, which covers A and B shares, closed down 195.36 points at 3,411.49.

TAIPEI: Taiwan share prices closed sharply lower as selling pressure intensified in technology firms amid worries the Taiwan dollar’s appreciation will hurt export earnings. The weighted index closed down 162.07 points at 8,605.95 on turnover of T$160.83 billion.

SEOUL: South Korean share prices closed slightly lower as investors locked in profits from recent gains, with sentiment undercut by Wall Street’s decline. The KOSPI closed down 3.43 points at 1,676.24. Volume reached 252 million shares worth US$4.31 billion.

BANGKOK: Thai share prices closed 0.66 per cent higher as investors chased gains in blue chips, in banking and energy stocks.

The composite index rose 5.39 points to 822.96 on turnover of 3.10 billion shares worth US$522.34 million.

JAKARTA: Share prices closed 0.4 per cent higher as late buying of blue chips and oil-related stocks triggered a rebound in the main index. The composite index closed up 10.71 points at 2,405.15.

MANILA: Philippine share prices closed 0.3 per cent higher as investors picked up bargains among the blue chips.

The composite index closed up 7.54 points at 2,925.91. – AFP