Most Asian markets retreated Friday as investors booked profits after a record-setting run the past few days, with Japan's Nikkei tugged lower by banking stocks such as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and by Toyota Motor Corp.
In Tokyo, Nikkei 225 index shed 51.67 points, or 0.28 percent, on the Tokyo Stock Exchange to 18,188.63 while in Hong Kong, the blue chip Hang Seng Index advanced 45.24 points, or 0.21 percent, to a record closing high of 21,999.91.
Decliners included real estate and banking shares like Mitsubishi Estate Co., which lost 3.94 percent to 3,410 yen ($27.50), and Mizuho Financial Group Inc., which fell 1.91 percent to 874,000 yen ($7,048.39).
ELSEWHERE:
BANGKOK: Thai shares declined 0.5 percent at 772.05 in moderate trade, with analysts saying the market is in consolidation mode after recent steep gains.
JAKARTA: Indonesia shares closed flat in thin volume at 2,152.321, compared to the previous close of 2,152.340.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shares closed up 0.3 percent at a record high of 1,391.57 in heavy volume as local and foreign funds snapped up plantation stocks and index heavyweights.
MANILA: Philippine shares dropped, dragged down by property and bank stocks. The benchmark 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index lost 13.43 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 3,701.16.
SEOUL: South Korean stocks ended lower, with the Korea Exchange Bank hit by news its largest shareholder, Lone Star Funds, sold part of its stake in the bank. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, ended down 23.26 points, or 1.3 percent, at 1770.98.
SINGAPORE: Shares fell following a sharp decline in the Chinese market, and traders said the island's benchmark index will likely come under pressure as investors take their money elsewhere. The Straits Times Index closed down 24.11 points, or 0.66 percent, at 3615.38.
TAIPEI: Taiwan shares fell slightly on profit taking after four consecutive winning sessions. The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange dropped 5.60 points, or 0.1 percent, to close at 8,846.39 in heavy volume.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand shares meandered to a modestly lower close in an uneventful session, with volatility in international markets and the high New Zealand dollar still weighing on investor sentiment. The benchmark NZX-50 index was down 15.43 points, or 0.4 percent, at 4285.14 on modest volume.
SYDNEY: The Australian share market recovered from intraday weakness for the fifth day in a row to end flat Friday, with the Federal Government's future fund rumored to have been buying up shares. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closed down 4.4 points at 6,382.6 on good volume after falling as far as 6,349.0 at one stage.
With files from wire services
