Asian equity markets ended in red on Friday, following a global sell-off overnight as investors digested comments from the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank (ECB). Federal chair Janet Yellen said Thursday that recent economic data back the central bank's expectations of an improved job market. The US non-farm payrolls number for November is due later today. Yellen added the bank will proceed with caution in raising interest rates from near zero and that Fed funds rates would remain accommodative after the initial increase. Elsewhere, ECB president Mario Draghi announced monetary policy measures that fell short of market expectations. The central bank cut deposit rate by 10 basis points to negative 0.3 percent and said its asset purchase program will also be extended until at least March 2017 and broadened in scope. Japanese shares fell after the European Central Bank dashed expectations for greater stimulus, triggering a broader sell-off after the dollar weakened against the yen. Chinese shares too closed down as investors remained cautious over Chinese economy.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,525.99 | -59.83 | -1.67 |
| Hang Seng | 22,235.89 | -181.12 | -0.81 |
| Jakarta Composite | 4,508.45 | -28.93 | -0.64 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,667.87 | -6.05 | -0.36 |
| Nikkei 225 | 19,504.48 | -435.42 | -2.18 |
| Straits Times | 2,879.05 | -4.84 | -0.17 |
| KOSPI Composite | 1,974.40 | -19.67 | -0.99 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 8,398.60 | -57.46 | -0.68 |