Asian markets end mix on Thursday

Asian stocks ended on a mixed note after four of the region`s central banks cut interest rates, joining a global effort to limit the economic impact of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China and LG Electronics climbed more than 4% after China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan lowered borrowing costs, following coordinated rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve and five other central banks.

Aeon, Japan`s second-largest retailer, fell 11% to 850 yen, the lowest close since April 2000, after reporting drop of more than 8.5% in second-quarter operating profit.

Japanese benchmark index Nikkei fell 45.83 points, or 0.50%, to end at 9,157.49.

Hong Kong`s index Hang Seng gained 511.51 points, or 3.31%, to end at 15,943.24.

China`s Shanghai Composite declined 17.64 points, or 0.84%, to end at 2,074.58.

South Korea`s Kospi index advanced 8.20 points, or 0.64%, to end at 1,294.89.

Taiwan`s Taiex index slipped 75.69 points, or 1.45%, to settle at 5,130.71.

Singapore`s Straits Times gained 82.97 points, or 4.08%, to close at 2,116.58.