P246 CEEFAX 246 Fri 13 May 21:11/29 1/3 FAR EAST STOCKS Tokyo (Close): Early gains prompted by overseas institutional buying were eroded bz local profit-taking. The Nikkei average finished a mjrj 46.51 points higher at 20,270.75 in volume estimated at 400m shares. $hj index had reached 20,360 bjforj profit-taking set in. Honk Kong (Close): Stocks advanced almost 3% (6% in the week), led by properties and hotels. The blue-chip Hank Sing Index ended 255.86 points higher at 9,134.72. Headlines 201 World indices 243 Forex rld Indices London ExchangesP246 CEEFAX 246 Fri 13 May 21:15/27 2/3 FAR EAST STOCKS Australia (Close): Bullish AO index futures and renewed confidence in bonds helped drag stocks higher. The All Ordinaries index closed up 28.6 points at 2,070.0. "People are certainly a lot more optimistic," said one broker. BHP rose 54c to A$17.58, and CRA and WMC 20c each to 17.80 and 7.70. Singapore (Close): The STE index closed up 35.71 at 2,286.12. Dealers reported lacklustre trading as buyers bargain-hunted. Headlines 201 World indices 243 Forex rld Indices London ExchangesP246 CEEFAX 246 Fri 13 May 21:14/23 3/3 EUROPEAN STOCKS Frankfurt (Close): German shares closed higher in response to stead9 bund and DAX futures prices. Metallgesjllschaft led the market higher after a buy recommendation. The DAX index closed the day with a 15.12 point lead at 2,258.75. Paris (Close): The CAC 40 index closed 10.26 higher at 2,187.00. The market was boosted by growing optimism for the French economic outlook, though Wall Street losses took share prices off highs. Headlines 201 World indices 243 Forex rld Indices London Exchanges