TA Index extends fall by 2.6%.(TA 30 TELECOM STOCK INDEX 16 MAR-14 APR, 05)

The TA Index, after a 0.8% drop last month, ended 2.6% lower at 1,144 points, as Asian stock markets finished mixed amid concerns over rising oil prices and doubts over the strength of US economic recovery. Decliners exceeded gainers 21 to 9.

Markets in Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia and Malaysia all closed lower. Hong Kong and Taiwan closed mixed while the Indonesian market finished higher.

Top gainer Telkom Indonesia added 6.9% as the local stock market rebounded and on expectations of solid earnings. IndoSat also advanced, moving up 3.1% after a 13.5% fall a month earlier.

PCCW rose 5.2% on the back of its strong FY04 figures. The incumbent returned to the black last year with a net profit of HK$1.64 billion ($210 million), thanks to strong growth in Unihub and its broadband business, as well as and steady demand for its NOW broadband TV service.

APT Satellite added another 4.4%. The company, at the request of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, issued an announcement stating it is not aware of any reasons for such increases, except for the successful launch of its APSTAR VI satellite on April, which replaces APSTAR IA.

On the downside, Dacom, the previous month's top gainer with a 28.3% increase, ended down 11.5%. SK Telecom and Korea Telecom extended their declines by 7.2% and 8.3%.

 DOWN         2.6% TA INDEX    1,144 RISING  STOCKS          9 FALLING  STOCKS        21       Company             Country   % change  1    Telkom Indonesia    ID        6.9 2    PCCW                HK        5.2 3    APT Sat             HK        4.4 4    FarEasTone          TW        3.5 5    Hutchison           HK        3.3 6    Indosat             ID        3.1 7    China Telecom       HK        1.8 8    Pacific Internet    US        1.2 9    China Unicom        HK        0 10   Chunghwa Telecom    TW        -0.2 11   China Mobile        HK        -0.6 12   Samart Telecom      TH        -2.2 13   KDDI                JP        -3.2 14   SmarTone            HK        -3.8 15   SingTel Optus       AU        -3.8 16   Taiwan Cellular     TW        -4.2 17   NTT                 JP        -4.4 18   SingTel             SG        -4.5 19   Shinawatra Sat      TH        -4.7 20   Telecom NZ          NZ        -5.2 21   Telekom Malaysia    MY        -5.3 22   PLDT                PH        -5.7 23   AIS                 TH        -5.8 24   NTT DoCoMo          JP        -6.3 25   Globe Telecom       PH        -6.6 26   Telstra             AU        -6.9 27   SK Telecom          KR        -7.2 28   Korea Telecom       KR        -8.3 29   Vodafone            JP        -8.6 30   Dacom               KR        -11.5