Asian markets pare gain; end mixed

Interest rate worries dragged Asian markets from their highs today. The markets gave up early gains to end mixed.

The Hang Seng dipped 69 points to 21,929. The Nikkei was up 19 points at 10,258.

The Seoul Composite shed 19 points (1%) to 1,640. The Shanghai Composite and the Straits Times were down marginally at 2,977 and 2,708, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Taiwan Weighted added five points to 7,715.
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(Updated at 1134 hrs)

The Hang Seng is quoting at 22,025, up 26 points or 0.1%, and the Nikkei is at 10,232, lower by 6.3 points.

Taiwan Weighted is flat at 7,715, up 4 points. Straits Times is at 2,704, lower by 7 points or 0.28% and the Seoul Composite is at 1,641, down 17 points or 1%.

Shanghai Composite is placed at 2,939, higher by 40 points or 1.35%.