An easing in record crude oil prices and gains in the tech sector on Wall Street, where the broader market also closed mixed, helped lift some of the region's benchmarks after two days in the doldrums.

But gains were unconvincing with investors starting to focus on a spate of profit results due to be released from around the region before gauging a clearer picture of the economic landscape.

TOKYO
Japanese share prices bounced off a two-week low as bargain hunters emerged despite continued nervousness about the health of the global economy.

Dealers said the benchmark Nikkei index regained the key 17,000 points level but that traders were keeping a close watch on soaring oil prices and the state of the US economy after a mixed batch of economic indicators.

The Nikkei-225 index gained 150.78 points to 17,106.09. Turnover dropped to 1.75 billion shares from 2.31 billion on Wednesday.

HONG KONG
Share prices closed higher, up 0.6 per cent, with gains limited by profit-taking after trading on the main index jumped above 30,000 points for the first time.

Dealers said optimism that mainland Chinese citizens will be able to buy stocks listed in Hong Kong by the end of the year, and news that Beijing is considering a share-swap mechanism, drove most shares higher.

The Hang Seng Index gained 166.34 points to 29,465.05. Turnover was HK$168.52 billion Hong Kong dollars (US$21.73 billion).

SHANGHAI
Chinese share prices closed 3.50 percent lower due to fears the government would try to cool the heated market and on plans to allow mainland investors to buy Hong Kong stocks.

Dealers said banks and steelmakers, among the biggest gainers recently, led the decline following remarks by the regulator indicating the government was ready to cool the speculative frenzy in the nation?s stock market.

The Shanghai Composite Index ended down 211.00 points at 5,825.28 on turnover of 130.35 billion yuan (US$17.38 billion).

KUALA LUMPUR
Malaysian share prices closed marginally higher on a lack of follow-through buying as investors decided to cash in on earlier gains in line with the region?s performance.

Dealers said investors remain cautious about buying shares aggressively due to the uncertainty caused by external factors, such as the US subprime mortgage crisis and high crude oil prices.

The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index rose 1.93 points to 1,376.32, on volume of 1.75 billion shares worth RM2 billion (US$594 million). -- AFP