Bright futures performance encourages foreign buyers South Korean share prices soared yesterday, led by Samsung Electronics and brokerages on late program buying by foreign investors as Nasdaq futures rose. Indian shares advanced yesterday on support from traders and funds after the Securities and Exchange Board of India deferred a decision on banning carry-forward trading until May 14 and following Friday's gains on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The share market was closed for a public holiday in Singapore yesterday. The Malaysian share market was closed for a public holiday yesterday. The Thai market was closed for a public holiday yesterday and will remain shut today.
Trading resumes tomorrow.
Players show reluctance before polls Philippine shares declined yesterday on profit taking on last week's gains and amid uncertainty over the congressional elections next Monday. The Australian share market closed higher on stock-specific trade yesterday, led by gains in retail shares and News Corp, amid improving sentiment. The New Zealand share market closed firmer yesterday despite a steep downward spiral in Frucor Beverages following a surprise profit warning. Platinum Japanese platinum futures closed firmer yesterday, tracking the New York market's gains during the country's public holidays last week but prices came off highs as long holders cashed in. Silver Japanese silver futures yesterday finished from 0.5 to 1.7 yen per 10 grams lower, with benchmark April stumbling 1.1 yen to settle at 169 yen.