Asian stock markets close mostly with losses

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) – Asian stocks on Wednesday closed the day with losses amid recession fears and worries about a global economic slowdown, except for the Indian Sensex benchmark.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, was down nearly 30 points, or 0.94%, to 3,150 at 1020GMT.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock exchange fell 304 points, or 1.15%, to 26,119 points.

The Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange, slipped 266.4 points, or 1.22%, to 21,587.

China's Shanghai Stock Exchange lost 48.7 points, or 1.43%, to close at 3,355 points, while the Singapore index was flat at 3,103 points.

On the other hand, the Indian Sensex benchmark rose 616 points, or 1.16%, to end the day at 53,750 points.