Asian markets end soft

The Asian markets have ended lower. The Hang Seng shed 34 points at 22,103 and Nikkei slipped 90 points to 11,161.


The Straits Times ended at 2970, lower by six points and Taiwan Weighted closed at 8029, down 88 points. 

The Shanghai Composite and Seoul were exceptions. The Chinese index added 31 points at 3,161 and Seoul Composite ended flat at 1710. 

Meanwhile, the European markets are soft in early trades. FTSE is quoting at 5,769, weaker by eight points, CAC is at 4041, lower by eight points and DAX is at 6,238, down 11 points.

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(Updated at 0823am)

The Asian markets opnened on a low note. The Hang Seng has added 120 points or 0.5% at 22,257.

The Nikkei has slipped 111 points or 1% to 11,141.

The Shanghai Composite Index added 38 points or 1% at 3,166.

The Straits Times, the Seoul Composite and the Taiwan Weighted Index are flat, down 0.5% each.