Friday, December 21, 2007

Asian indices open positive

Asian markets on Friday (December 21) advanced for the first time in eight days.

Japanese stocks climbed after the Nikkei newspaper reported that Hitachi was planning to sell part of an unprofitable business, while the country`s largest maker of liquid-crystal displays, Sharp, gained after a report said that Toshiba would align with the company on display panels.

However, Canon, the world`s largest seller of digital cameras, fell to the lowest in 18 months after a report said the company`s profit may rise 7%, missing forecasts.

Japanese benchmark index Nikkei added 173.56 points, or 1.15%, to trade at 15,205.01.

Hong Kong`s index Hang Seng rose 432.35 points, or 1.60%, to trade at 27,449.39.

China`s Shanghai Composite added 20.97 points, or 0.42%, to trade at 5064.51.

Taiwan`s index Taiex gained 121.22 points, or 1.54%, to trade at 7,978.30.

South Korea`s KOSPI added 11.87 points, or 0.61%, to trade at 1,855.55. (8.20 a.m IST)

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