Share prices in Tokyo fell 0.9 per cent Thursday as investors dumped technology issues following the setback on Wall Street. The key Nikkei-225 index fell 153.58 points to close at 17,282.37. "Share prices here simply followed declines in New York's semiconductor and software-information issues," said Nikko Securities senior analyst Kazue Mayuzumi.

"As investors in New York took a wait-and-see stance ahead of the release of employment data tomorrow, Tokyo investors also wanted to see the data before taking any action," said Nomura Securities senior analyst Masaaki Higashida.

Hong Kong: Share prices closed 0.1 per cent higher despite late profit-taking on the market's recent gains mainly spurred by Hutchison Whampoa. The key Hang Seng index gained 15.32 points to close at 16,489.59 on turnover of 12.27 billion Hong Kong dollars (1.6 billion US).

Hutchison Whampoa sustained its gains, fuelled mainly by reports it plans to form a joint venture with Royal KPN NV and NTT DoCoMo Ltd for a 3G mobile phone service in the UK, Germany, France and Belgium, dealers said.

Singapore: Shares closed one per cent lower following a weaker close on Wall Street. The Straits Times Index fell 15.58 points to 2,064.75, while the broader All-Singapore Equities Index fell 5.95 points to 553.77. Dealers said the market was generally quiet.

"Even the retail investors were largely inactive. Probably most of their funds were tied in small-cap stocks, which have started to correct," a dealer with a local brokerage said. Trading largely focused on semiconductor stocks, which fell in reaction to last night's fall in their US counterparts after Salomon Smith Barney's sectoral downgrade, dealers said.

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian shares closed 0.4 per cent lower on profit-taking following two days of gains. The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange composite index ended down 3.01 points at 815.68, off a low of 808.58.

"There wasn't much selling pressure .... just some mild profit-taking after two days of technical rebound.

Some of the selling might have been sparked by Wall Street's overnight losses but it was a pretty quiet market," an institutional dealer with a local brokerage said. Investors were focused on the Lion group of companies, which resumed trading today after announcing a corporate and debt restructuring scheme yesterday to resolve some 5.9 billion ringgit worth of debts.

Seoul: South Korean share prices rose 0.9 per cent in heavy trade led by continued strong gains in banking stocks. The Korea Stock Exchange index closed up 7.23 points at 837.63. Volume was 692.1 million shares worth 4.3 billion dollars).

The index rebounded after opening lower, reflecting the positive outlook for this month with increasing liquidity at investment trust companies, Hanwha Securities Park Si-Jin said. "Investment trusts have secured a large amount of liquidity through non-taxable funds and bond-buying funds to be newly introduced (into financial markets) from July."

Bangkok: Thai share prices dropped 1.4 per cent in thin and rangebound trade following losses on Wall Street and amidst continuing domestic political instability. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index closed down 4.43 points at 318.42, while the SET 50 was down 0.38 points at 22.56.

Investors have turned cautious on the Bangkok bourse due to the baht's volatility and the uncertain local political situation, said an analyst with Capital Nomura Securities.

Trade on the Thai market has been lacklustre for the past two weeks amid continuing pressure from the Opposition's campaign to force an early election.

Jakarta: Indonesian share prices closed 0.2 per cent higher with profit-taking trimming gains. The Jakarta Stock Exchange composite index was up 0.965 points at 513.431, off a high of 516.634.

They said there was selected buying by foreign investors. A dealer with Ramayana Artha Perkasa said share prices were higher early Thursday but they fell back in late trade owing to profit taking by many players.-- AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE