Japanese stocks ended lower Thursday as gains in Tokyo Electron and other technology shares failed to offset broader blue-chip weakness tied to growing concerns that the Bank of Japan will hike interest rates as early as next week.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index shed 104.23 points, or 0.62 percent, to finish at 16,838.17 while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index dropped 182.97 points, or 0.9 percent, to 19,385.37.
Promise Co. slumped 6.13 percent to 3,980 yen (US$33.17), and Shinko Securities Co. dropped 3.73 percent to 439 yen (US$3.66).
Among tech stocks, Kyocera fell 0.73 percent to 10,850 yen (US$90.42) and Fanuc Ltd. closed down 1.71 percent to 10,950 yen (US$91.25).
Elsewhere:
BANGKOK: Thai shares surged 2.5 percent to 637.63 on sharp gains in blue chips, after gaining 0.9 percent in the previous session.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shares dropped, and may continue to fall tomorrow as investors unwind positions ahead of the weekend. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index slipped 0.7 percent to 1,105.42 points.
MANILA: Philippine shares ended lower as the market continued to consolidate. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 10.92 points, or 0.4 percent, at 2,940.16 from 2,951.08.
SEOUL: South Korean shares rose, led by gains in technology stocks. The won fell for the sixth session in the last seven. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 9.52 points, or 0.7 percent, to 1,365.31.
SHANGHAI: Chinese shares fell as investors sold bank and other financial shares amid warnings that the recent rally may have gone too far. The Chinese yuan surged against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index fell 2 percent to 2,770.11, whereas the Shenzhen Composite Index rose 0.2 percent to 611.84.
SINGAPORE: Singapore's shares rose, boosted by property stocks. The benchmark index rose 8.5 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,969.69. But traders say the index may move sideways or slip over the next few sessions.
TAIPEI: Taiwanese shares fell slightly amid concern about the financial problems of scandal-hit Rebar Asia Pacific Group. The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange dropped 79.97 points, or 1 percent, to 7,618.55.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand's stocks closed lower as blue chips gave up gains made in recent sessions. The benchmark NZX-50 index fell 14.4 points, or 0.4 percent, to 4,049.64.
SYDNEY: Australian shares rose with support for resource stocks as base metal prices rebounded and some M&A speculation surrounded the Australian Stock Exchange. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index rose 44 points to 5,564.9.
With files from wire services
