DEBORAH MARCHINI, CNN ANCHOR: Mixed signals from the tech sector on Wall Street sent the major Asian markets in different directions. Michelle Han sums up the day in Asia from Hong Kong. Hello, Michelle.</s>MICHELLE HAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Deborah, good morning. Well, trading was mixed in the Asian markets. In Tokyo, tech shares succumbed to Dell Computer's profit warning. The Nikkei average was down a third of one percent. Japanese PC makers Toshiba and NEC each lost 1 3/4 percent. Here in Hong Kong, China Mobile's almost eight percent gain boosted the Hang Seng index two percent higher. Investors piled into China Mobile after it announced late Wednesday that Britain's Vodafone will back its acquisition of smaller networks on the mainland. Stock in Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway climbed 24 percent, marking the successful launch of the government's privatization efforts. In South Korea, investors ignored both Dell's profit warning and a surprise rate hike by the central bank, an increase of 25 basis points to 5 1/4 percent. This is Seoul's second rate hike this year, and most economists expect it to be the last. The stock market shrugged it off and rose 1 1/2 percent, thanks to gains in the banking sector. And that wraps up the trading day here in Asia. Deborah, back to you.</s>MARCHINI: All right, thanks, Michelle.
Mixed Signals Send Major Asian Markets in Different Directions