TOKYO
JAPANESE share prices fell 0.41 per cent in morning trade on Thursday, depressed by losses on Wall Street and a stronger yen, which hurts exporters.

The benchmark Nikkei-225 index dropped 41.78 points to 10,238.68 by the lunch break. The broader Topix index of all first section shares slipped 5.58 points, or 0.59 per cent, to 944.23.

HONG KONG
Hong Kong share prices closed 1.23 per cent higher on Thursday, tracking strong gains on mainland China's market despite an overnight tumble on Wall Street, dealers said.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index finished 239.68 points higher at 19,761.68. Turnover was HK$57.77 billion (S$10.73 billion).

SHANGHAI
Chinese shares have gained 5 per cent following reports that lending by big state-owned banks remained robust in August.

Shortly before Thursday's close, the Shanghai Composite Index had gained 136.21 points to 2851.18.

Real estate, financials and other market heavyweights were among the biggest gainers. Propery developer China Vanke is up 9 per cent and Poly Real Estate has gained 8.6 per cent.

KUALA LUMPUR
Malaysian shares prices closed up 0.48 per cent on Thursday on gains in finance and property blue-chips, dealers said.

The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index gained 5.65 points to 1,173.66. Advancers outnumbered losers 454 to 169. -- AP, AFP, BERNAMA