Asian stock markets end mixed (MarketWatch)  (04-04-2008)

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Stock in Asian markets were mixed on Friday with Tokyo declining on consumer electronic manufacturers and automotive stocks, while in Sydney markets were supported by oil companies and miners.

The 225-issue Nikkei ended the morning session 0.7% lower at 13,298 while the broader tracking Topix index fell 0.5% to 1,293.

Australia's S&P/ASX climbed 0.5% to 5,638. In South Korea, the Composite Stock Index, or Kospi, declined 0.2% to 3,626.

In currencies, the Australian dollar declined sharply against the U.S. dollar following the retail sales report. The Australian dollar changed hands at 91.17 U.S. cents at midday in Tokyo, compared to 91.50 cents in late Asian trading Thursday.

Against the yen, the dollar fetched 102.49, compared to 102.26 in late New York Thursday.

Markets in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taipei were closed Friday for a public holiday.

Among other regional markets, Indonesia's JSX Composite climbed 1.3%, rebounding from a more than 4% loss Thursday, as shares tumbled after the central bank left interest rates unchanged. Malaysia's KLSE was up 0.3%.

Decliners in Tokyo included Toyota Motor Corp., which fell 1.9%, and Nissan Motor Co., which fell 3.8%.

Among consumer-electronics shares, Canon Inc. slipped 1%, while those of Panasonic-brand maker Matsushita Electric Industrial Co fell 1.6%.

Japanese banks trading on the downside included Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, whose shares fell 0.4%.

Miners marking gains in Sydney included BHP Billiton, which rose 1.3%, and CBH resources, whose shares climbed 4.1%.

 Source: MarketWatch