Hong Kong share prices closed 0.2 percent higher yesterday led by gains in telecom stocks in an otherwise lacklustre market, dealers said. The key Hang Seng index gained 21.85 points to close at 10,227.01 on turnover of HK$7.05 billion (US$905 million).

Taiwan Shares End 2.4 Percent Higher

Taiwan share prices closed 2.4 percent higher yesterday ahead of the coming local elections, with investors looking to build positions amid good liquidity, dealers said. The weighted index closed up 110.75 points at 4,793.93, off a low of 4,675.16 and a high of 4,805.65.

Japanese Share Prices Edge up 0.3 Percent

Japanese share prices edged up 0.3 percent yesterday, led by high-tech companies after positive earnings guidance from Texas Instruments and firmer exporter stocks due to a weaker yen, dealers said.

But political uncertainties in Japan capped gains after Yukio Hatoyama, leader of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, resigned as party chief, they added.

The Nikkei-225 average of the Tokyo Stock Exchange added 30.64 points to end the day at 9,205.11, well off its high of 9,320.11. The TOPIX index of all first-section issues ended up 2.46 points at 890.76.

Volume was estimated at 803 million shares. Gainers led decliners 719 to 642, with 129 stocks unchanged.

(China Daily December 4, 2002)