Asian markets end mixed; Nikkei sheds 153pts

Asian markets recovered partially and ended mixed today. The markets had opened in the red following data showing China's steep fall in exports compared to last year which gave rise to new worries about the possibility of a delayed economic recovery.

The Hang Seng moved up 66 points to 17,154. On the other hand, the Nikkei slumped 153 points (1.6%) at 9,299.

The Taiwan Weighted tumble 215 points (3%) to 6,433. The Seoul Composite declined 12 points to 1,404.

The Shanghai Composite, however, advanced 38 points to 2,618, and the Straits Times gained 20 points at 2,190.
________________________________________________________
(Updated at 1107 hrs)

Asian markets continue to be in red.

The Hang Seng has slipped into the red and is now down 149 points  (1%) at 16,939. Japan's Nikkei is down 102 points (1%) at 9,350.

The Taiwan has tumbled 209 points (3%) to 6,438. The Straits Times and the Seoul Composite has declined 1% each to 2,138 and 1,402.

The Shanghai Composite is flat at 2,578.
________________________________________________________
(Updated at 0822 hrs)

The Asian markets today opened mostly on a negative note.

The Hang Seng has advanced 50 points to 17,138. The Nikkei has tumbled 136 points (1.5%) to 9,316.

The Shanghai Composite has added 11 points to 2,591.

The Straits Times has slipped 18 points to 2,148 and the Seoul Composite has dropped 14 points to 1,401.

The Taiwan Weighted Index has  plunged 175 points (2.5%) to 6,472.