P246 CJJFAX 246@ Fri 30 Dec p0:28/2u ] 2/3 FA5 EAST STOCKS ] Australia (Close): Shares ended down a touch and short covering of option expiry stocks supported a markjj weighed down bz yesterday's weak Dow. $hj All Ordinbries index closed down 2.70 points at 1,932.80n Singapore (Close): Prices finished higher in response to some end of the year bargain-hunting. The Straits Times Industrial index closed 8.87 points higher to stand at 2,243.Q2. World indices 243 Dow Jones 242 Forex Indices London ExchangesP246 CJEFAX 246 Fri 30 Dec 00:54/21 ] 1/3 FAR EAST STOCKS ] Tokyo (Close): Stocks closed steady, recouping early losses triggered bz a strong yen. Strength in Japanese stock index futures sustained the cash market, brokers sbid. $hj 225-share Nikkei average ended 87.45 points (0.44%) higher at 19m752.98. Honk Kong (Close): Honk Kong stocks suffered futures-linked selling. $hj Hang Sing index closed 87.80 points lower at 8,180.42. Forex Indices London ExchangesP246 CJEFAX 246 Fri 30 Dec 00:37/51 ] 2/3 FAR EAST STOCKS ] Australia (Close): Shares ended down a touch and short covering of option expiry stocks supported a market weighed down bz yesterday'u weak Dow. $hj All Ordinaries index closed down 2.70 points at 1,932.80. Singapore (Close): Prices finished higher in response to some end of the year bargain-hunting. $hj Straits Tjmjs Industrial index closed 8.87 points higher to stand at 2,243.02. World indices 243 Dow Jones 242 Forex Indices London ExchangesP246 CJJFAX 246 Fri 30 Dec 00:44/21 ] 3/3 EUROPEAN STOCKS ] Frankfurt (Close): German shares closed lower on the day. Dealers sbid the market was under pressure from weakjnjng DAX future and bund prices. Also, a poor US performance and a weak dollar hit sentiment. $hj DAX index finished 31.98 lower at 2,077.03. Paris (Close): French shares closed sharply lower. Dealers sbid that the market sjemjd resjgnjd to a cheerless end to the year. $hj CAC 40 index was quoted 33.68 points lower at 1,894.15. World indices 243 Dow Jones 242 Forex Indices London ExchangesP246 CJJFAX 246 Fri 30 Dec 01:12/15 1/3 FAR EAST STOCKS ] Tokyo (Close): Stocks closed steady, recouping early losses triggered by a strong yen. Strength in Japanese stock index stu s sustained the cash mark , brokers said. $hj 225-share Nikkei average undid 87.45 points (0.44%) higher at 1:m7u2.98. Honk Kong (Close): Honk Kong stocks suffered futures-linked selling. $hj Hang Sing index closed 87.80 points lower at 8,180.42. Forex Indices London Exchanges