Asian Markets -- Shares Close Broadly Lower -- Oct. 22.

SYDNEY, Australia, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- A round-up of Asian stock markets prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com/), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities.

Asian share markets closed broadly lower today, thanks to a mixed session on Wall Street overnight and selective profit taking after recent gains.

Japanese share prices fell 1.29 per cent, led by big declines among banks and brokerages as investors locked in profits on their recent gains. The Tokyo Stock Exchange's Nikkei-225 index lost 141.90 points to close at 10,889.62.

Hong Kong share prices closed slightly lower on late selective profit-taking after recent gains. The key Hang Seng index lost 12.06 points or 0.10 per cent to close at 12,238.63.

Australian shares closed marginally lower as the Australian dollar's six-year highs put pressure on News Corp., as well as Rio Tinto and some other resource stocks. The All Ordinaries index was down 5.3 points at 3,305.3.

South Korean share prices closed marginally lower in a modest correction as gains in Samsung Electronics and other top-tier stocks cushioned the broader market's decline amid a sell-off by domestic investors. The composite index closed down 0.61 points or 0.08 per cent at 779.28.

Taiwanese share prices closed 0.32 lower in reduced turnover due to a mixed performance on Wall Street and concerns over foreign investors' selling in the previous session. The weighted index closed down 19.60 points at 6,041.86.

Philippine share prices closed 0.24 per cent lower due to a technical correction and profit-taking after hitting an 18-month high. The Philippine Stock Exchange composite index dropped 3.35 points to 1,382.74.

Malaysian share prices surged 1.87 per cent, hitting a new year high on foreign and local fund buying in blue chips. The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange rose 14.80 points to finish at 805.11.

Singapore share prices fell 1.20 per cent as the market consolidated after five consecutive sessions of gains. The Straits Times Index was down 21.60 points at 1,771.26.

Indonesian shares closed marginally lower on continued profit-taking in second-liners amid concerns of a violent backlash from Muslim hardliners after the visit by US President George W. Bush. The Jakarta Stock Exchange composite index ended down 0.806 points or 0.12 per cent at 646.165.

Thai share prices closed up 1.98 per cent, with the SET index ending at its highest in six years after the kingdom safely hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index added 11.75 points to close at 604.77.

 WEDNESDAY INDICES:
 * SYDNEY - All Ordinaries (down 5.3 at 3,305.3 points)
 * TOKYO - Nikkei (down 141.90 at 10,889.62 points)
 * HONG KONG - Hang Seng (down 12.06 at 12,238.63 points)
 * SEOUL - Composite (down 0.61 at 779.28 points)
 * TAIPEI - Weighted (down 19.60 at 6,041.86 points)
 * SINGAPORE - STI index (down 21.60 at 1,771.26 points)
 * JAKARTA - Composite (down 0.806 at 646.165 points)
 * KUALA LUMPUR - KLSE Index (up 14.80 at 805.11 points)
 * MANILA - PSE Index (down 3.35 to 1,382.74 points)
 * BANGKOK - Composite (up 11.75 at 604.77 points)

CONTACT: Asia Pulse Production Centre, in Sydney, Australia, [phone] or email, http://www.apulse.com/