Most Asian indexes advanced Thursday, with Japan closing higher behind automakers such as Honda Motor Co. and Hong Kong shares ending sharply up on short-covering before the expiration of key futures contracts.
In Tokyo, Nikkei 225 index rose 82.99 points, or 0.47 percent, to 17,932.27 while in Hong Kong, the blue chip Hang Seng Index gained 232.66 points, or 1.07 percent, to 21,938.22.
Gainers included Toyota Motor Corp., which added 0.93 percent to 7,620 yen ($61.95), and TDK Corp., which rose 0.68 percent to 11,850 yen ($96.34) and Bridgestone Corp., which climbed 2.95 percent to 2,615 yen ($21.26).
Among retailers, Isetan Co. jumped 4.05 percent to 2,005 yen ($16.30).
ELSEWHERE:
BANGKOK: Thai shares gained 0.9 percent at 777.68, their highest closing level since May last year, led by banks and select energy stocks.
JAKARTA: Indonesian shares fell 0.6 percent at 2,112.851, as investors stayed on the sidelines amid a lack of fresh leads and as worries that the Federal Reserve will increase interest rates spurred selling.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shares shed 0.5 percent to close at 1,350.72.
MANILA: Philippine shares climbed as investors, encouraged by a Wall Street rally, bought Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and other heavyweights. The benchmark 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index gained 57.79 points, or 1.6 percent, at 3,645.00, after plunging 1.9 percent Wednesday.
SEOUL: South Korean shares finished its four-day losing streak to end higher with construction stocks and non-life insurers leading gains. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, ended up 18.65 points, or 1.1 percent, at 1,751.75.
SHANGHAI: China's benchmark Shanghai index slumped 4 percent in volatile trading, as investors awaited first-half corporate earnings and possible policy moves by the government. The Shanghai Composite Index ended at 3,914.20. The Shenzhen Composite Index slid 5.4 percent to 1,112.57.
SINGAPORE: Singaporean shares closed higher for the first time in a week, powered by bargain-hunting after several days of declines and Wall Street's overnight gains. The Straits Times Index closed up 32.73 points, or 0.93 percent, at 3,538.23.
TAIPEI: Taiwanese shares rebounded after two straight losing sessions, with the transport sector leading the way. The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange gained 48.61 points, or 0.5 percent, to close at 8,892.83 points.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand shares ended lower and brokers see little relief in sight as high interest rates and a strong New Zealand dollar keep investors sidelined. The NZX-50 closed down 13.6 points, or 0.3 percent, at 4,189.70 on moderate volume.
SYDNEY: Australian shares reversed a week-long slide, helped by an overnight rebound on Wall Street and led by BHP Billiton and Woodside Petroleum after crude oil and metal prices gained. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index closed up 81.4 points, or 1.3 percent, at 6,265.6.
With files from wire services
