based companies jumping on local media reports that the Shanghai municipal government has urged the city's listed companies to complete their shareholding reforms in about one year. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which tracks both A and B shares, ended up 2.4 percent at 1,128.74, the highest level since May 10, when it closed at 1,135.56. SINGAPORE: Singaporean shares closed lower, weighed down by a weak Wall Street and rising oil prices. The benchmark Straits Times Index fell 23.52 points, or 1 percent, to close at 2,338.87. SYDNEY: Australian shares finished with a slight gain, displaying some resilience in the face of relatively steep falls on Wall Street. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index closed at 4,377.3, a rise of 2.5 points, after falling to a two week low of 4,361.4 in early trade. TAIPEI: Taiwan's markets were closed Friday because of heavy rains brought by Typhoon Matsa. WELLINGTON: New Zealand shares ended slightly lower after a day of quiet trade, as bellwether Telecom failed to get a boost despite announcing a series of special dividend payouts. The NZSX-50 index closed down 5.38 points, or 0.2 percent, at 3,348.67.
