Asian markets end mixed; Hang Seng sheds 407 pts

The Hang Seng dropped 407 points to 14,878.  The Nikkei advanced 16 points to 8,727.

The Seoul Composite (19 points) and the Taiwan Index (5 points) increased to 1,356 and 5,886, respectively.

The Strait Times and the Shanghai Composite slipped nearly 3% each to 1,833 and 2,461, respectively.

Updated 1110 hrs

The Nikkei has gained 31 points at 8,742. The Hang Seng is down 19 points to 15,267.

The Shanghai Composite has fallen nine points to 2,527.  The Straits Times has declined 28 points to 1,859.

The Seoul Composite (21 points) and the Taiwan weighted Index (36 points) have advanced to 1,358 and 5,917, respectively.

Updated 0842 hrs

The Hang Seng has gained 62 points at 15,348. The Nikkei is flat at 8,710 - down two points.

The Shanghai Composite has advanced around 1.5% (32 points) at 2,671.

The Seoul Composite (12 points) and The Taiwan Weighted Index (10 points) are up at 1,349 and 5,892, respectively. The Straits Times is down 10 points at 5,892.