chip Hang Seng Index fell 60.22 points, or 0.40
percent, to 15,051.32, after trading between 15,083.51 and
14,972.52 during the session. On Tuesday, the index ended
at 15,137.08, its highest level since February 2001.
Turnover totaled HK$20.61 billion (US$2.65 billion; ¤2.14
billion), down from HK$21.50 billion the previous session.
Analysts also said that a drop in the Japanese and US
markets pushed investor sentiment down, taking shares even
lower.
Shoemaker Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) Ltd. was one of
the few gainers Friday, rising 1.03 percent to HK$24.55.
Elsewhere:
BANGKOK: Thai shares ended marginally higher in lackluster
trade, with the index propped up by buying in certain blue
chips. The Stock Exchange of Thailand Index edged up 1.44
points, or 0.2 percent, at 686.01.
BOMBAY: Indian shares ended lower Friday, snapping a
nine-day winning streak, on profit-taking in blue chip
shares such as Reliance Industries and ICICI Bank. The
30-t
2.40 points, or 0.1 percent, at 1,975.60 after shedding 0.5
percent Thursday.
SEOUL: South Korean shares fell heavily in a third
consecutive session of losses, as climbing oil prices and a
weakened U.S. dollar versus the won sparked profit-taking
on a previous market rally. The Korea Composite Stock Price
Index, or Kospi, closed down 2 percent, or 22.03 points, at
1,089.36.
--mor
1447 Local Time
1147 GMT