linked companies, Rayong and Aromatics, highlighted the value of the Thai petrochemical sector. The SET Index added 0.3 percent at 883.65 on strong volume. JAKARTA: Indonesian shares ended down 0.3 percent at 2,394.57 on profit taking after recent sharp gains. KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shares slid 0.9 percent to 1,379.33 in heavy trade. MANILA: Philippine shares dropped for the third day in a row due to profit-taking prompted by Wall Street's overnight retreat. The benchmark 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 60.73 points, or 1.6 percent, at 3,645.51. SHANGHAI: Chinese shares ended higher in moderate trade. The Shanghai Composite Index jumped 2.7 percent at 4,323.97 _ just below an all-time high of 4,335.96 set in May. SINGAPORE: Singapore's shares ended down as weak U.S. markets, profit-taking, and the end of a long rise in shipping and offshore stocks led to a lack of investor confidence. The benchmark Straits Times Index closed down 31.59 points, or 0.8 percent, at 3,633.54. SYDNEY: Australian shares fell to their lowest level since July 19, amid investor caution after a sharp fall on Wall Street and higher than expected CPI data. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closed down 81.8 points or 1.3 percent at 6,340.5. TAIPEI: Taiwanese shares closed flat, weighted down by overnight weakness on Wall Street. The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange fell 4.47 points to close at 9,740.13 on heavy volume. WELLINGTON: New Zealand's shares ended flat with strength in some blue chip stocks balancing a weaker lead from overseas markets and a high local currency. The benchmark NZX-50 closed up 0.1 percent, or 3.7 points, at 4,324.96.
