Asian markets end in red

Asian markets ended in the negative zone today.

The Hang Seng declined 219 points to 20,851, snapping a four-day rally amid concerns that the recent rally went past the economic recovery, while Alibaba andLenovo Group were sold down after share placements.

The Nikkei shed 81 points to 10,312, with Canon and other exporters hit by a stronger yen while bank shares shed after a brokerage downgraded two of Japan's biggest banks.

The Sanghai Composite was up 15 points to 2,946, rising for seven straight days, led by metal stocks. 

The Straits Times and the Seoul Composite added 14 points and 12 points to 2,646 and 1,607, respectively.

The Taiwan Weighted slipped 63 points to 7,250.
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(Updated 1148 hrs)

Asian markets have slipped further into the red.

The Hang Seng has dropped 199 points (1%) to 20,870. The Nikkei has slipped 108 points (1%) to 10,285.

The Taiwan Weighted has declined 63 points (1%) to 7,251. The Seoul Composite is down 11 points at 1,608.

The Shanghai Composite and the Straits Times are flat at 2,922 and 2,651, respectively.
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(Updated at 0807 hrs)

The Asian markets have opened on a flattish note and barring the Shanghai Composite all the oher indices are in red.

The Hang Seng has slipped 94 points to 20,976. The Nikkei is down 35 points to 10,358.

The Straits Times has dropped 13 points to 2,648. The Seoul Composite and the Taiwan Weighted Index are flat 1,610 and 7,309, respectively.

While the Shanghai Composite is up nine points at 2,940.