Asian equity markets ended mostly lower on Friday after oil prices fell over 1 percent overnight and shares in leading European and US banks fell sharply on earnings worries. China’s shares ended lower as investors awaited a slew of March economic indicators including exports, new lending and inflation due over the next week, with some investors locking in profit from a month-long rebound that reflects expectations for a strong first quarter. However, Japanese markets stood out in a subdued trading session as the yen weakened slightly against the dollar in the wake of comments from Japan's Finance Minister and Fed Chair Janet Yellen. While Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso warned against rapid yen rise and vowed to take action if necessary, Yellen touted the strength of the world's largest economy while speaking in New York alongside three of her predecessors - Ben Bernanke, Paul Volcker, and Alan Greenspan.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 2,984.96 | -23.46 | -0.78 |
| Hang Seng | 20,370.40 | 104.35 | 0.51 |
| Jakarta Composite | 4,846.70 | -20.58 | -0.42 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,718.40 | -5.89 | -0.34 |
| Nikkei 225 | 15,821.52 | 71.68 | 0.46 |
| Straits Times | 2,808.32 | -5.27 | -0.19 |
| KOSPI Composite | 1,972.05 | -1.84 | -0.09 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 8,541.50 | 51.25 | 0.60 |