TOKYO

JAPANESE share prices closed down 1.38 per cent on Monday as investors took profits ahead of US corporate earnings results due this week, in the absence of a lead from Wall Street, dealers said.

The benchmark Nikkei-225 index fell 135.20 points to 9,680.87. The broader Topix index of all first section shares slipped 8.20 points, or 0.89 per cent, to 912.42. US markets were closed on Friday for a public holiday.

HONG KONG

Hong Kong share prices closed 1.23 per cent lower on Monday, as investors struggled to find any clear direction, dealers said.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index closed down 223.99 points at 17,979.41.

Turnover was HK$54.21 billion (US$10.13 billion).

SHANGHAI

Chinese shares rose 1.18 per cent on Monday with steel makers and securities companies leading the gains, dealers said.

The Shanghai Composite Index, which covers A and B shares, was up 36.30 points to 3,124.67 on turnover of 203.9 billion yuan (S$43.6 billion).

The Shanghai A-share index gained 38.17 points, or 1.18 percent, to close at 3,280.27 on turnover of 203.3 billion yuan, while the Shenzhen A-share index rose 10.44 points, or 0.99 per cent, to 1,061.21 on turnover of 94.6 billion yuan.

KUALA LUMPUR

Malaysian shares fell 0.63 per cent on Monday as profit-taking hit during lacklustre trade, dealers said.

The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index lost 6.86 points to close at 1,065.83. -- AFP