TOKYO

Japanese share prices closed down 0.27 per cent on Friday as investors refrained from buying ahead of key US jobs data and a weekend meeting of world finance chiefs, dealers said.

The benchmark Nikkei-225 index dropped 27.53 points to 10,187.11. The broader Topix index of all first section shares slipped 7.03 points, or 0.75 per cent, to 935.74.

KUALA LUMPUR

Malaysian shares closed up 0.43 per cent on Friday following gains on Wall Street, dealers said.

The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index gained 5.08 points to 1,178.74 on volume of 609.22 million shares worth 1.08 billion ringgit (S$440 million).

There were 402 gainers, 217 losers and 234 counters unchanged.

'Gains on Wall Street were the main trigger but momentum was very weak throughout the day,' a dealer told Dow Jones Newswires.

'Buying interest from local funds started the second wave in late trade but this only provided an opportunity for day traders to sell into strength,' the dealer added.

HONG KONG

Hong Kong share prices closed 2.82 per cent higher on Friday, tracking strong gains on mainland China's market, dealers said.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index finished 556.94 points higher at 20,318.62.

Turnover was 75.66 billion Hong Kong dollars (S$14 billion).

SHANGHAI

Chinese shares closed up 0.58 per cent on Friday with banks leading the gains as sentiment improved after the previous session's rally, dealers said.

The Shanghai Composite Index, which covers A and B shares, was up 16.59 points to 2,861.61 on turnover of 142.2 billion yuan (S$30 billion).

The Shanghai A-share index rose 17.42 points, or 0.58 per cent, to close at 3,003.19 on turnover of 141.9 billion yuan. The Shenzhen A-share index gained 12.40 points, or 1.23 per cent, to 1,016.96 on turnover of 71.4 billion yuan. -- AFP, BERNAMA