Asian Markets -- Shares Close Broadly Higher -- Nov. 18

Asian Markets -- Shares Close Broadly Higher -- Nov. 18 SYDNEY, Australia, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- A round-up of Asian stock markets prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com/), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. Asian share markets closed broadly higher Thursday as bargain hunting pushed up stocks in some markets, while others fell due to strengthening local currencies against the U.S. dollar, dealers said. Tokyo stocks ended 0.44% weaker amid concerns that a rising yen could hurt exports, dealers said. The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikei-225 index dropped 48.87 points to 11,082.42. In Hong Kong, stocks closed 0.18% weaker after a selldown in HSBC and selected China stocks, dealers said. The key Hang Seng Index fell 25.16 points at 13,799.82. Seoul stocks ended 1.1% lower on fears that a falling U.S. dollar against the won would weaken exports and corporate earnings, dealers said. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) index slid 9.58 points at 875.84. In Taiwan, the sharemarket ended the day's trade 0.35 per cent higher ahead of the increase in Taiwan's MSCI index weightings later this month, dealers said. The weighted index added 20.81 points at 6,049.49. The Australian stockmarket finished 0.09% stronger on predictions of further earnings growth, dealers said. The key SP/ASX 200 index inched up 3.5 points at 3,879.5, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 3.5 points to a new record 3,893.4. Malaysian stocks closed 0.31% higher on speculation the government will end the ringgit peg to the US dollar, dealers said. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index climbed 2.82 points to 904.48. Singapore stocks finished 0.67% weaker as investors took profits after the market hit a four-year high Wednesday, dealers said. The benchmark Straits Times Index fell 13.78 points to 2,032.62. Bangkok stocks finished 0.43% stronger in slow trade as investors looked for bargains amid a lack of fresh leads, dealers said. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index added 2.77 points at 646.93, while the blue-chip SET 50 index rose 0.27 points at 45.53. Philippine stocks ended 1.3% stronger, pushed up by gains in selected bluechips led by Philippine Long Distance Telephone, dealers said. The Philippine Stock Exchange composite index jumped 23.28 points to 1,817.64. THURSDAY INDICES: * TOKYO - Nikei 11,082.42 (down 48.87 points) * HONG KONG - Hang Seng 13,799.82 (down 25.16 points) * SEOUL - Composite 875.84 (down 9.58 points) * TAIPEI - Weighted 6,049.49 (up 20.81 points) * SYDNEY - All Ordinaries 3,893.4 (up 3.5 points) * KUALA LUMPUR - KLSE index 904.48 (up 2.82 points) * SINGAPORE - STI index 2,032.62 (down 13.78 points) * JAKARTA - CLOSED DUE TO PUBLIC HOLIDAY * BANGKOK - SET Index 646.93 (up 2.77 points) * MANILA - Composite 1,817.64 (up 23.28 points) Journalists can receive a free custom email feed from PR Newswire. PRN Custom Email allows the user to determine the format of the message , the time of delivery and the content. To register go to PR Newswire for Journalists at http://media.prnewswire.com and click on PRN Custom Email. PRNewswire -- Nov. 18 Source: Asia Pulse ------- Profile: International Entertainment