Seoul - Shares closed slightly higher Thursday on the Seoul stock exchange as central banks around the world, including South Korea's, cut interest rates.

The benchmark Kospi index edged up 8.2 points, or 0.6 per cent, to close at 1,294.89.

Advancing issues outnumbered losers 414 to 406.

The main index of the technology-heavy Kosdaq market declined 1.63 points to 369.84.

Tokyo - Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average gave up early gains Thursday to end at a five-year low as concerns lingered over the global financial crisis.

The key Nikkei index fell 45.83 points, or 0.5 per cent, to close at 9,157.49.

But the broader Topix index of all first-section issues went up 6.1 points, or 0.68 per cent, to 905.11, a day after nine central banks lowered interest rates.

The Bank of Japan injected a record 4 trillion yen (39.8 billion dollars) into the money markets Thursday amid escalating concerns over the financial crisis.

Tokyo - The Bank of Japan injected a record 4 trillion yen (39.8 billion dollars) into the money markets Thursday amid escalating concerns over the global financial crisis.

The nation's central bank carried out the emergency measure for the 17th consecutive business day to free up credit and stabilize the markets.

Prime Minister Taro Aso called for new measures to be implemented and said he instructed the ruling coalition of his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the New Komeito party to draw up additional pump-priming measures.

Taipei - Taiwan's centr

Hong Kong - Hong Kong shares rebounded by 2.65 per cent Thursday morning as officials tracked the US Federal Reserve by cutting interest rates by a further 0.5 per cent.

The interest rate cut, which brings base rates down to 2 per cent, follows a 1 percentage point cut by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority Wednesday.

Announcing the cut, the authority's chief executive Joseph Yam said the impact of the reduction might take some time to filter through to the markets.

After opening with a loss of 379 points at 11,316.24, the 30-share index BSE Sensex continued its losing streak on Wednesday (Oct 08) due to global financial crisis. 

Moreover, the BSE Sensex touched an all time low of 10,740.76. All segments suffered a severe hammering. 

Finally, the BSE Sensex closed the day after making a loss of 366.88 points at 11,328.36. It also hit a high of 11,405.73 and a low of 10,740.76. Meanwhile, NSE Nifty lost 92.95 points at 3,513.65 after touching a high of 3,604.40 and a low of 3,329.45.