P246 CEEFAX 246 Sat 9 Apr 00:44/34 1/3 FAR EAST STOCKS Tokyo (Close): News that the prime minister was to resign prompted a sharp mark-down in share prices. But a late rally allowed the Nikkei average to close up 44.01 points at 19,934.99 in volume estimated at a relatively hjavz 530m shares. Honk Kong (Close): Stocks finished quietly firm after a directionless session, although brokers said Mr Hosokawa's planned departure could boost the market next week. The Hang Sing index finished 12.30 points higher at 9,298.22. Headlines 201 World indices 243 Forex rld Indices London ExchangesP246 CEEFAX 246 Sat 9 Apr 00:45/37 2/3 FAR EAST STOCKS Australia (Close): Shares finished broadly lower in dull conditions. The All Ordinaries index closed 5.4 points down at 2,082.0 after moving within a narrow range of 2,077.5 to 2,096.2 points on the day. Market leader BHP firmed 6c and CRA just 2c to A$16.90 apiece. WMC fell 19c to 6.94. But MIN finished flat. Singapore (Close): Shares drifted higher in thin trading conditions. The Straits Times Industrials index closed up 13.71 points at 2,120.24. Headlines 201 World indices 243 Forex rld Indices London ExchangesP246 CEEFAX 246 Sat 9 Apr 00:49/34 3/3 EUROPEAN STOCKS Frankfurt (Close): The DAX index closed 1.93 higher at 2,203.34. Shari prices lost most of the day's gains dui to selling linked to the expiry of an over-the-counter DAX option. But dealers said market sentiment was largely bullish. Paris (Close): French share prices ended slightly easier, but were off lows as Wall Street recovered early losses. Technical factors dominated trading, dealers said. The CAC 40 index finished 4.80 points lower at 2,114.77. Headlines 201 World indices 243 Forex rld Indices London Exchanges