24 Mar 05: Asian Stock Prices Close Mostly Down

Asian stock markets closed mostly lower Thursday, but the key index in Tokyo showed a slight gain. Tokyo's Nikkei index gained seven points to finish at 11,746. The average lost 103 points on Wednesday.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost seven points to end at 13,597. The Hang Seng fell 173 points on Wednesday.

In the region's other big market, Singapore, the Straits Times index climbed six points to close at 2,151.

Elsewhere, share prices were higher in Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai.

Markets were lower in Bangkok, Bombay, Jakarta, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, and Wellington. Manila's stock market was closed for the Easter holiday.

In late afternoon Tokyo currency trading, the dollar was selling at 106.41 yen, up 0.98 yen from the same time Wednesday.

In Hong Kong, the price of gold fell one dollar to close at 426 dollars, 25 cents an ounce.