KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shares traded firm on buying in Sime Darby and IOI Corp. The benchmark Kuala Lumpur Composite Index closed 6.41 points up to 1,294.15 on Thursday. Overall gainers led losers 354 to 310 on turnover of 590.006 million worth RM1.237 billion (US$379.468 million). -- BT ONLINE

HONG KONG: Hong Kong stocks slipped on Thursday in line with Shanghai shares, but Hutchison Whampoa jumped after a broker upgrade.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index closed down 19.77 points, or 0.08 per cent, at 25,513.71 points. Hutchison's shares rose to a high of HK$83.60 before closing at HK$83.30, up 5.51 per cent. -- REUTERS

TOKYO: The Nikkei share average rose 0.9 per cent to a four-month closing high on Thursday, led higher by growing market reassurance symbolised by Sony Corp , which soared 8.7 per cent after forecasting a higher profit than expected.

Nippon Steel Corp surged after a report that Toyota Motor Corp has agreed with it and other top Japanese steelmakers to pay more than 30 per cent more for sheet steel, while bank shares - sold recently - powered higher after a report that no. 2 bank Mizuho Financial Group plans an effective 10-for-1 stock split.

The Nikkei rose 133.19 points to 14,251.74, its highest close since Jan 10, for a fourth straight day of gains.

The broader Topix was up 1.4 per cent at 1,392.87. -- REUTERS