Asian stocks:

Asian stocks:
Mixed,boosted by bargain

AP
Hong Kong

Share prices ended mixed in Asia Thursday, though some
markets were boosted by bargain hunting and technical buying.

Many markets traded in a narrow range as players watched for
developments in the U.S. response to the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks.

In Indonesia, however, share prices slipped 1.5 percent amid
rising concerns over reports of a call for a holy war, or jihad,
by the country's Muslim cleric association if the U.S. attacks
Afghanistan, dealers said.

Jakarta's JSX Composite Index shed 5.974 points to end at
393.747.

Concerns the rupiah will continue to weaken also hurt investor
sentiment, dealers said. The dollar was trading at Rp 9,690,
compared to Rp 9,635 late Wednesday in Asia.

"Sentiment was very poor," said a trader with a local
brokerage firm, expecting that the main index may find new
support at 360-level, if selling continues ahead of a possible
U.S military response to the Sept 11. terrorist attacks.

Dealers said they expect the market to remain lower Friday on
continued selling pressure in blue chips given the possible U.S.
military action.

Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar rose against the yen as Japan's
central bank intervened to stem the Japanese currency's upswing.

The dollar bought 118.64 yen at 0800 GMT (0300 Jakarta time),
up 1.34 yen from late Wednesday in Tokyo and also above its late
New York level of 117.85 yen overnight.

The intervention, the sixth in a recent series, followed a
similar effort to buy euros and dollars on the European market
Wednesday. A stronger currency, which would make Japan's exports
less competitive, would hamper Japan's struggle to avoid slipping
back into recession.

Hong Kong's blue chip Hang Seng Index jumped 229.04 points, or
2.4 percent, to 9600.79, helped by bargain hunting of heavyweight
property shares. However, traders said they expected the rally to
be short-lived. Wednesday, the Hang Seng gained 161.69 points, or
1.8 percent.

Taiwan shares closed lower in response to overnight losses on
Wall Street, particularly among semiconductor shares. The
Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange fell 57.90
points, or 1.6 percent, to end at 3567.63 points.

Close manufacturing ties mean Taiwan shares often take their
cues from the U.S. markets.

Thai stocks opened higher on positive corporate news but fell
back on profit-taking later in the day. The Stock Exchange of
Thailand Index finished 0.91 points, or 0.33 percent , lower at
274.76.

Malaysian shares rose broadly on bargain hunting. The weighted
Composite Index of 100 blue chip stocks closed up 10.13 points,
or 1.7 percent, to 612.64.

Philippine shares extended their losing streak as the
Philippine Stock Exchange Index shed 2.69 points, or 0.24
percent, to end at 1141.59.

South Korean shares were virtually unchanged in thin trading
ahead of national holidays next week. The Korea Composite Stock
Price Index, or Kospi, edged down 0.47 points, or 0.10 percent,
from Wednesday's close to 472.38.