Hong Kong share prices fell 0.9 per cent led by property stocks. The Hang Seng index shed 145.90 points to close at 16,249.53, on turnover of 10.39 billion Hong Kong dollars (1.33 billion US). Dealers said many investors were sidelined ahead of the upcoming initial public offering of Mass Transit Railway Corp. and Chinese petrochemical giant Sinopec.

Alex Tang, head of research at Core-Pacific Yamaichi, said property stocks underperformed. Kenny Tang, associate director of Tung Tai Securities said after a technical rebound in the morning, the index "continued the week's downward trend" adding there was still "heavy selling pressure in the market." Singapore: Share prices extended their losses closing 1.1 per cent lower on continued nervousness over volatile currencies and high oil prices.

The Straits Times Index fell 23.33 points to 2,053.69, while the broader All-Singapore Equities index fell 2.75 points to 548.77.

Trading focused largely on second-line technology stocks as institutional investors stayed sidelined, dealers said. It was the ninth straight loss for the key index, which has fallen 136.37 points, or 6.2 percent since September 4.

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian shares ended 0.7 per cent higher due to local buying interest in selected stocks. The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange composite index closed up 5.4 points at 752.61.

A senior analyst with a local brokerage said the market opened lower on profit-taking, which was in evidence throughout the day. But in late trading the index moved into positive territory led by gains in Maybank, Genting and Resorts World.

"There is generally still some buying. Investors are looking out for some trading opportunities. Trading was just mixed," he said.

Seoul: South Korean share prices plunged 3.4 per cent on the news that Ford Motor Co. had withdrawn from talks to take over the bankrupt Daewoo Motor Co. The Korea Stock Exchange index fell 21.94 points to close at 628.20 points.

Morningstar Korea President Jeon Byung-Sun said Ford's withdrawl from talks to acquire Daewoo triggered heavy foreign selling, driving the index down to its low for the year. "The aftermath of the Daewoo group's insolvency is still with us, and the impact of this latest development regarding Daewoo Motor will be long-term - it will negatively affect the fundamental aspects of the market," he said.

"The index may fall below 600 points as the negative factors such as high oil prices and Daewoo Motor sale delay are unlikely to be resolved soon," he said.

Manila: Philippine share prices rose fractionally due to a technical rebound. The Philippine Stock Exchange composite index rose 0.84 points to 1,450.99.

"This is a technical bounce after yesterday's scare (due to) the bombing in Jakarta and weakened currencies across the region," said Gonzalo Bongolan, assistant vice President for research at PCCI Securities Brokers Corp.

"After the large drop, the market has now paused but this is not necessarily a trend reversal," he warned.

Taipei: Taiwan share prices closed marginally higher as late selling offset earlier gains. The Taiwan Stock Exchange weighted price index rose 3.16 points to 7,155.45, on turnover of 95.83 billion Taiwan dollars (3.08 billion US).

The market opened higher on the stronger Nasdaq and the higher-than-expected earnings forecast for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), but profit-taking soon emerged to wipe out earlier gains, they said. "Investors scrambled to lock in profits on the rebound in fears of further downturns in the near future," said Kevin Chu, analyst of Grand Cathay Securities.

Bangkok: Thai stocks rose 2.1 per cent as investors concerns over the baht eased. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index gained 6.09 points to 293.30 and the SET 50 index was 0.45 points higher at 20.37.

Market gains were mainly due to speculative buying triggered by scraps of positive news, including glass and consumer products maker Berli Jucker's announcement of a one-off interim dividend of 15.75 baht per share, an analyst with a local brokerage said.