Scrips record downwardtrend at MSE: Equities continued their downward trend on Wednesday on the Madras Stock Exchange. The MSE index declined further by 29.02 points to close at 3269.13 against previous day's close of 3298.15 points. Satyam Computer declined to 558.55 from Rs 567.45. Reliance slipped by Rs 2.60 to Rs 115.15. ITC dropped by Rs 5.50 to Rs 692. Larsen shed Rs 6.25 to close at Rs 145.75. State Bank of India edged down by Rs 1.20 to Rs 155.70. Tisco dipped by Rs 2.65 to Rs 89.35. Grasim slid down by Rs 8.50 to Rs 149. Pentafour Communication, R S Software, Rolta, Ram Info, Karnataka Bank, DSQ Software and California Soft were easier.

No change in trading pattern on CSE: There was little change in the pattern of trading on the Calcutta Stock Exchange where share prices continued to move narrowly before settling lower. The general mood was again to await the outcome of the Assembly polls held on Wednesday before entering into fresh commitments. Consequently, the turnover dipped further and prices too eased.The exceptions included LML which change hands at Rs 62.70 and Hind Lever at Rs 1601. With the values of most counters losing ground, the CSE's 40-share index, too, declined to 1629.97 points which was the top mark for the day, the lowest being 1619.76 points. Among the losers were Tisco at Rs 90.10, Telco at Rs 129.90, ITC at Rs 695.90, ACC at Rs 953, Bata at Rs 201.50 and Larsen and Toubro at Rs 149.70 with Reliance placed at Rs 115.70 and SBI at Rs 155.10.

NSE debt market review: The wholesale debt market of NSE witnessed trades worth Rs 252.59 crore on Wednesday. The zero coupon government bond maturing in 2000 was traded for Rs 20 crore at a weighted yield of 10.88 per cent. The 364 day T-Bill maturing on November 19, 1999 was traded for Rs 15 crore at a weighted yield of 10.45 per cent.

HK close sharply lower on profit taking: Hong Kong stocks closed 1.2 per cent lower on Wednesday as investors locked in profits on recent sharp gains, dealers said. The key Hang Seng Index eased 130.72points to 10,720.99 on total turnover of 8.7 billion Hong Kong dollars ($ 1.1 billion). Tokyo stocks close 0.6 per cent lower: Japanese stocks fell 0.6 per cent on Wednesday, pressured by profit-taking following strong gains the previous day, brokers said. The 225-issue Nikkei average of the Tokyo Stock Exchange declined 91.17 points to finish at 15,073.47.

Jakarta shares down 4.5%: Indonesian shares closed morning trade 4.5 per cent lower Wednesday following Wall Street's overnight fall and continued profit-taking, dealers said. The Jakarta Stock Exchange composite index was down 18.877 points at 401.203. The Indonesian rupiah was trading at 7,450-7,550 against the dollar at around noon Wednesday.

Seoul shares up on foreign interest: South Korean shares rose 0.7 per cent on Wednesday, led by the construction sector on reports the government plans to ease restrictions on green belt area development, dealers said. The Korea Stock Exchange index closed up 3.23 points at 464.01, off a high of467.13. Thai shares gain 1.9% on speculative buying: Thai share prices rose 1.9 per cent at the close on Wednesday on late speculative buying in the banking and finance sectors, analysts said. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index gained 7.35 points to closeat 391.01 points, while the SET 50 index added 0.51 point to 28.92.