Friday, April 18, 2008

Asian markets decline

Asian markets declined for the first time in four days on Friday (April 18), led by drugmakers and mining companies, after Pfizer reported poor result than the estimates and a report said BHP Billiton have no plans to raise its bid for Rio Tinto Group.

Astellas Pharma, Japan`s second-largest pharmaceutical company, dropped.

Japanese benchmark index Nikkei declined 23.09 points, or 0.17%, to trade at 13,375.21.

Hong Kong`s index Hang Seng declined 114.41 points, or 0.47%, to trade at 24,144.55.

China`s Shanghai Composite declined 108.46 points, or 3.37%, to trade at 3,114.28.

Taiwan`s Taiex index declined 7.68 points, or 0.08%, to trade at 9,082.75.

South Korea`s KOSPI declined 2.62 points, or 0.15%, to trade at 1,766.05.

Singapore`s Straits Times declined 11.38 points, or 0.36%, to trade at 3,114.92. (8.06 a.m., IST)

No comments: