World stocks steadied with mixed performances only allowing for small loses on Thursday, as the U.S. dollar hit a new 15-year low against the yen. Weakness in the technology sector hindered Asian markets while mainland China exchanges remained closed for the fourth straight day in observe the Golden Week holiday.
Japan's Nikkei slipped slightly, but is still up around 3% on the week fueled by the Bank of Japan’s interest rate cuts and monetary easing.
Japan's Nikkei closed down 6.62 points, or .07%, to 9,684.81.
Resource companies continue driving north as gold keeps hitting record highs and a boost to the energy sector came from oil approaching $84 a barrel.
Inpex Corp. added 2.2% while commodities trading house, Marubeni Corp., climbed 1.8%
The Shanghai Stock Exchange was closed Thursday in observance of a week-long holiday.
Shares in Hong Kong shares stayed bullish, further extending their rally for a fourth straight session on Thursday. The story was much the same as Japan with gold and oil companies leading the gainers.
The Hang Seng closed up; rising 3.91 points, or .02% to 22,884.32.
Shares of PetroChina Co. rose 0.5%
Zhaojin Mining Industry Co. advanced 1.2%.
Elsewhere, the smaller markets were mixed as well:
South Korea's Kospi dropped .16% to 1,900.85.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 closed up .096% to 4,691.300.
India's Sensex lost 1.11%%.
Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur Composite Index climbed 1.84 points to 1,481.45.
Indonesia's Jakarta Composite Index finally had a down day losing 17.22 points.
Shenzhen Composite gained 1.681% to 1,169.019. (Data from September 30, 2010. Exchange closed for holiday today.)
Taiwan's Taiex slipped .11 points.
Singapore's Straits Times Index dropped .73%.
New Zealand's NZX 50 closed up by .03%.
Philippine shares were up 1.151%.
Shares in Thailand fell .827%.
