Asian markets end up; Nikkei bucks trend

Asian stocks slipped after North Korea announced that it had conducted a nuclear test today. The global impact was, however, limited. Technology shares were also declined in the Asian markets.

Asian markets ended mostly up today with the Hang Seng gaining 59 points at 17,122. The Nikkei dropped 121 points (1.3%) to 9,347.

The Straits Times added 23 points (1%) to 2,268. The Shanghai moved up 12 points to 2,610.

The Seoul Composite and the Taiwan Weighted ended flat at 1,401 and 6,734, respectively.
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(Updated at 1140 hrs)

The Hang Seng has shed 109 points at 16,954. The Nikkei has advanced 126 points to 9,352.

The Shanghai Composite is down marginally at 2,591.

The Seoul Composite has declined eight points at 1,395 and the Taiwan Weighted is flat at 6,734.

The Straits Times is up six points at 2,252.
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Updated at 0810 Hrs

The Hang Seng has dropped 112 points to 16,950. The Nikkei has added 106 points to 9,331. The Japanese index rose 1.1 % on Monday as drugmaker Shionogi (4507.T) increased after a report that it has developed a new flu drug,

The Shanghai Composite has slipped 54 points (2%) to 2,543.

The Straits Times has advanced 12 points to 2,258 and the Taiwan Weighted Index is up 45 points at 6,782.

The Seoul Composite is down 10 points at 1,393.