Manila - Philippine share prices rose 2.4 per cent Thursday on positive news that inflation slowed and most Asian stock markets were up.

The 30-share composite index of the Philippine Stock Exchange gained 44.52 points to close at 1,892.07.

More than 777.77 million shares worth 1.71 billion pesos (36.38 million dollars) were traded.

Gainers led losers 56 to 22 while 43 issues were unchanged.

Traders said market sentiment was boosted by the government's announcement that inflation in January declined to 7.1 per cent from December's 8 per cent.

Tokyo - Tokyo stocks ended lower Thursday as investors sold shares to lock in profits from the previous day's gains amid spreading concerns about the Japanese economy.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average dipped 89.29 points, or 1.11 per cent, to close at 7,949.65. The index had snapped a three-day losing streak Wednesday, rising more than 2 per cent to close above 8,000.

But market sentiment was dampened Thursday after a series of sluggish corporate earnings reports and by the economic outlook at home and abroad.

Tokyo - Tokyo stocks ended Thursday morning trading lower, after investors sold shares to lock in profits from the previous day's gains amid spreading concerns over the Japanese economy.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 66.88 points, or 0.83 per cent, to 7,972.06. The index snapped a three-day losing streak Wednesday, rising more than 2 per cent to close above the 8,000 level.

But the market sentiment was dampened after a series of sluggish corporate earnings results and by the outlook at home and abroad.

The Sensex continued to trade positive this afternoon on account of heavy buying action witnessed in stocks from sectors like oil & gas, telecom, banking, technology and metal.

The buying impetus assisted the markets to remain in positive zone despite some volatility.

Shares of metal companies were in high demand following a rally in commodities in Asian markets on expectations that commodities may have bottomed out.

Midcap and small cap indices were following the same trend, and gained 0.46% and 1.13% respectively.

Hong Kong  - Hong Kong stocks ended a two-day losing run Wednesday to climb by more than 2 per cent, ending the day back above the 13,000-point mark.

After losses of nearly 3 per cent on Monday and 0.7 per cent Tuesday, the blue-chip Hang Seng Index rose 287 points to end the day at 13,063.89.

The closing figure was 2.25 per cent higher than Tuesday's close. Turnover was a relatively low 36.4 billion Hong Kong dollars (4.69 billion US dollars).