Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Asian markets continue to decline

Asian stocks fell on Tuesday (Dec. 18, 2007) in continuance with its downward trend with some stocks touching their three-month lows.

Asian markets continued to slid, following its global counterparts, on concerns that the US housing slump will slow down economic growth.

BHP Billiton and Posco declined after metal and oil prices fell on speculations that the demand for commodities will decline. Exporters such as Toyota Motor Corp and Canon also led to the decline.

Japanese benchmark index Nikkei fell 117.31 points, or 0.77%, to trade at 15,132.48.

Hong Kong`s index Hang Seng declined 240.72 points, or 0.91%, to trade at 26,355.86.

China`s Shanghai Composite fell 15.01 points, or 0.31%, to trade at 4,861.76.

Taiwan`s index Taiex slid 37.56 points, or 0.48%, to trade at 7,793.29.

South Korea`s KOSPI added 5.20 points, or 0.28%, to trade at 1,845.02.

Singapore`s Straits Times fell 6.17 points, or 0.18%, to trade at 3,347.39. (8.25 a.m IST)

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