South Korean Stocks Rise As Rest Of Region Flounders

November 18, 2009 9:35 a.m. EST

Hong Kong (AHN) - Asian stocks were mixed on Wednesday.

In South Korea, the Kospi rose the most of all Asian markets, adding 18 points, or 1.1 percent, to 1,603.97. The index continues to be the worst performer in the region despite advancing 43 percent in 2009.

The Hang Seng in Hong Kong lost 74 points, or 0.3 percent, to 22,840.33, failing to stay above the 23,000 mark for a second straight day. In Taipei, the Taiex rose 33.5 points, or 0.4 percent, to 7,766.69, as the Shanghai Composite moved up 20 points, or 0.6 percent, to 3,303.23.

The S&P/ASX 200 in Sydney added 9.6 points, or 0.2 percent, to 4,739, while the NZX 50 in New Zealand slipped 3.1 points, or 0.1 percent, to 3,128.40.

The Nikkei 225 Average fell 53 points, or 0.6 percent, to end trading at 9,676.80.

The Sensex in Mumbai declined 52 points, or 0.3 percent, and the Straits Times Index slid 20 points, or 0.7 percent, in Singapore.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index lost 0.66 points, or 0.6 percent, to 118.65.