Stock Markets

Shares rise in Seoul, bucking regional downturn

Shares rise in Seoul, bucking regional downturnSeoul - Shares on the Seoul stock exchange bucked slides on other Asian markets Monday, edging up after a larger-than-expected interest-rate cut by South Korea's central bank.

The local currency, however, continued to fall against the dollar.

The benchmark Kospi index rose 7.7 points, or 0.8 per cent, to close at 946.45 while the main index of the technology-heavy Kosdaq market declined 18.5 points to 261.19.

Indian shares fall more than 6 per cent

Indian shares fall more than 6 per centNew Delhi - Indian markets slid by more than 6 per cent soon after opening Monday, tracking drops on other Asian markets.

The benchmark 30-share Sensitive Index of the Bombay Stock Exchange dipped by more than 6 per cent to 8,051, its lowest point in three years, soon after opening. It recovered marginally and was trading at 8,279.27, about 4.85 per cent lower, by mid-morning.

The broader 50-share Nifty index of the National Stock Exchange also dipped by 6.39 per cent and was trading at 2,418.9.

Taiwan stocks plunge nearly 5 per cent

Taiwan stocks plunge nearly 5 per centTaipei - Taiwan's b

Tokyo stocks plunge to record lows

Tokyo stocks plunge to record lowsTokyo - Tokyo stocks nosedived Monday, sending the benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average to its lowest level in 26 years.

The Nikkei tumbled 486.18 points, or 6.36 per cent, to 7,162.9. The index has lost half its value this year.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues also lost 59.65 points, or 7.4 per cent, to 746.46.

The Bank of Japan injected 600 billion yen (6.37 billion dollars) into the money markets Monday to ease a credit crunch as stocks prices plunged.

Australian stocks in decline

Australian stocks in decline Sydney - Australian stocks slid Monday as fears of a worldwide recession grew.

The ASX 200 lost 60 points, or 1.5 per cent, to 3,809.

Losses were stemmed by rising values in the mining sector. Market leader BHP Billiton was up 1.5 per cent as bargain hunters moved on a counter considered oversold. Gold miners also did better.

The local currency was trading at a five-year low. It has lost 37 per cent in value against the US dollar in three months.

The Australian dollar was trading at 61 US cents, up from the low of 60 cents on Friday.

Taiwan stocks plunge 5.5 per cent

Taiwan stocks plunge 5.5 per centTaipei - Taiwan's benchmark s

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