Asian markets pare gains; Nikkei slips

Rise in oil prices buoyed commodity shares, helping Asian markets to gain today. However, markets were unable to hold the gains and ended mixed.

The Hang Seng was flat at 18,791. The Nikkei slipped 10 points to 9,981.

The Taiwan Weighted surged 105 points (1.5%) to 6,567. The Seoul composite was flat at 1,419.

On the other hand, the Shanghai Composite declined 19 points to 2,797. The Straits Times dropped 10 points to 2,382.
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(Updated at 1118 hrs)

The Hang Seng has soared 64 points to 18,849.

The Nikkei is up three points at 9,995.

The Shanghai Composite and the Straits Times are flat at 2,818 and 2,392, respectively.

The Taiwan Weighted Index has advanced 74 points to 6,536 and Seoul Composite has gained 13 points at 1,427.
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Updated at 0830 Hrs:

The Hang Seng has added 46 points to 18,832.

The Nikkei has slipped 29 points to 9,962.

The Shanghai Composite is flat at 2,819 while the Straits Times is down seven points at 2,384.

The Seoul Composite has gained 13 points at 1,428 and the Taiwan Weighted Index is up 10 points at 6,473.