Asian Markets Update: Tech Shares Head Lower After Nasdaq Slide

TOKYO -- Asian stock markets ended mixed Thursday, as the undecided U.S. presidential election continued to keep investors on the sidelines. Technology shares throughout the region were lower, however, after the Nasdaq tanked Wednesday.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 closed down 339.6 points, or 2.2%, at 15,060.1 and the Topix index, which includes all shares listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, fell 26.2, or 1.8%, to close at 1427.5.

Japanese technology shares from electronics giants to chipmakers were lower, as Sony (SNE) fell 170 yen, or 1.8%, to 9,060 ($84.42); NEC (NIPNY) closed off 50 yen, or 2.1%, at 2,290; and Fujitsu (FJTSY) tanked 110 yen, or 5.1%, to 2,050.

Telcos were also lower, as wireless operator NTT DoCoMo (NTDMY) fell 90,000 yen, or 2.9%, to 2.99 million and Nippon Telegraph & Telephone (NTT) closed down 24,000 yen, or 2.5%, at 955,000.

The dollar traded at 107.32 yen, up from 107.04 yen Wednesday.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index also ended in the red, falling 149.3, or 1%, to 15,504.8. China Mobile (CHL) fell HK$1.75, or 3.3%, to 50.75 ($6.51) after its rating was downgraded to a sell by Credit Suisse First Boston.

Elsewhere, South Korea's Kospi index rose 2.6, or 0.5%, to 560.7, as financial shares led the broader market higher and Taiwan's TWSE index squeaked 21.6 points higher, or 0.4%, to 6089.6, as heavyweight Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) capped gains by falling 1.7% to TWD$115.00 ($3.58).

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