KUALA LUMPUR
The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index lost 11.49 points to 1,372.12 at the lunch-break on Friday.

TOKYO
Japanese share prices fell 0.46 per cent in morning trade on Friday as investors pocketed gains a day after the market hit the highest level for over two months, dealers said.

They said modest losses overnight on Wall Street added to the cautious mood here.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikkei-225 index of leading shares lost 79.64 points to 17,379.34 by the lunch break.

The broader Topix index of all first-section shares dipped 11.14 points or 0.66 per cent to 1,666.38.

SHANGHAI
Chinese share prices rose 0.18 per cent in early Friday trade with investors focusing on large-cap energy and steel firms, dealers said.

The Shanghai bourse has posted a series of record highs this week, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index nearing the key psychological 6,000-points level.

At 10.08am the index, which covers both A and B shares, was up 10.81 points or 0.18 per cent at 5,924.04.

HONG KONG
Hong Kong blue chips shed 1.2 per cent and China plays fell more than 2 per cent on Friday, as losses on Wall Street prompted investors to lock in profits a day after the market hit record highs.

Coal shares took a big hit following their double-digit gains on Thursday.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index opened at 28,773.06. -- REUTERS, AFP, BERNAMA