chip stocks climbed 0.45 point, or 0.05 percent, to 872.43. MANILA: Philippine shares ended slightly lower amid losses by Ayala Land and Petron Corp. The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 2.42 points, or 0.1 percent, to 1,858.14. SEOUL: South Korean shares dipped on concerns over the local currency's gains against the U.S. dollar. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, lost 1.71 points, or 0.2 percent, ending at 944.46. SHANGHAI: Chinese shares were lifted by bargain hunting. The Shanghai Composite Index was 7.37 points, or 0.6 percent higher, at 1,165.34. SINGAPORE: Singapore's shares were boosted by new data predicting a shorter-than-expected electronics industry downturn. The Straits Times Index finished up 12.25 points, or 0.6 percent, at 2,149.64. SYDNEY: Australian shares fell on inflation worries. The S&P/ASX 200 index edged down 6.30 points, or 0.2 percent, to 4,027.80. TAIPEI: Taiwanese shares ended higher on buying in technology companies expected to report strong first-quarter results. The Weighted Price Index edged up 46.94 points, or 0.8 percent, to 5,805.25. WELLINGTON: New Zealand shares inched higher as Wall Street's gains boosted sentiment. The NZSX-50 index advanced 4.22 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,952.63.
