Asian Markets -- Shares Close Broadly Lower -- Nov. 19

Asian Markets -- Shares Close Broadly Lower -- Nov. 19 SYDNEY, Australia, Nov. 19 /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 lower Friday, pulled down by profit taking after recent highs and a lack of fresh leads in some markets. Tokyo stocks ended flat Friday as early gains dropped off on concern over the strong yen dragging export earnings down, dealers said. The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikei-225 index inched up 0.42 points to 11,082.84. Hong Kong stocks ended the day's trade 0.09% lower after a slow day brought on by the lack of fresh leads, dealers said. The Hang Seng Index slipped 12.14 points to 13,787.68. In South Korea, shares finished 1.01% weaker on institutional program selling, dealers said. The KOSPI Index dropped 8.81 points at 867.03. The Taiwan sharemarket ended 0.38% down as investors took to the sidelines due to a lack of fresh leads, dealers said. The weighted index fell 22.94 points at 6,026.55. In Australia, stocks closed 0.2% lower on profit taking after recent record highs, dealers said. The benchmark SP/ASX 200 index slid 6.8 points to 3,872.7, while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 6.1 points at 3,887.3 . The Malaysian stockmarket ended the trade 0.82% weaker as investors took profits after recent gains, dealers said. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index dropped 7.45 points to 897.03. Singapore stocks ended 0.27% higher on late buying interest in the banking sector, dealers said. The Straits Times Index climbed 5.59 points to 2,038.21. Bangkok stocks finished 0.71% stronger on positive third-quarter corporate results, dealers said. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index added 4.57 points at 651.50, while the blue-chip SET 50 index rose 0.35 points to 45.88. Philippine stocks ended 1.21% weaker after investors took profits following a recent three-day rally, dealers said. The Philippine Stock Exchange composite index dropped 22.05 points to 1,795.59. FRIDAY'S INDICES: * TOKYO - Nikei 11,082.84 (up 0.42 points) * HONG KONG - Hang Seng 13,787.68 (down 12.14 points) * SEOUL - Composite 867.03 (down 8.81 points) * TAIPEI - Weighted 6,026.55 (down 22.94 points) * SYDNEY - All Ordinaries 3,887.3 (down 6.1 points) * KUALA LUMPUR - KLSE index 897.03 (down 7.45 points) * SINGAPORE - STI index 2,038.21 (up 5.59 points) * JAKARTA - CLOSED DUE TO PUBLIC HOLIDAY * BANGKOK - SET Index 651.50 (up 4.57 points) * MANILA - Composite 1,795.59 (down 22.05 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. 19 Source: Asia Pulse ------- Profile: International Entertainment