DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN ANCHOR: The computer chip makers helped power key markets in Asia overnight.</s>DEBORAH MARCHINI, CNN ANCHOR: Lorraine Hahn wraps up the day in the region from our studios in Hong Kong. Hello, Lorraine.</s>LORRAINE HAHN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to both of you. That's right, demand for semiconductor-related shares boosted many Asian equity markets Wednesday, also a firmer Nasdaq helped sentiment as well. In Japan, semicon and electronic stocks stood out in an otherwise dull market with the summer holidays now ongoing in Japan. Among the movers that stood out, Mitsubishi Cable, its stock jumped more than 23 percent. Fuji Electronics, a trading company which specializes in semiconductors, firmed 3 1/3 percent, while leading chip maker Toshiba rose 3 3/4 percent. Also, the Japanese government today endorsed the sale of failed Nippon Credit Bank to Internet investor Softbank. The government says it is now ready to transfer funds to cover the bank's debts. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index had a pretty hectic day, ending 1 1/2 percent higher, with global banking group HSBC leading financial stocks up. Also today, chairman and the youngest son of tycoon Li Ka-shing, that's Richard Li, has resigned from his position as deputy chairman and directorships of his father's business empire, including Hutchison Whampoa. Now analysts we spoke to say this is not a story and it was expected. They also said it made regulatory sense since that would allay fears of a conflict of interest with Richard Li heading Internet firm Pacific Century CyberWorks. Finally, in South Korea, shares there were firmer, following a stronger U.S. trend and a strong rally in Samsung Electronics stock. Samsung picking up more than 6 1/2 percent. The benchmark Kospi index rose 2.4 percent. And that's a quick check from me. Back to both of you in New York.</s>MARCHINI: Thank you, Lorraine.
Computer Chip Makers Power Key Markets in Asia