The Asian markets ended in red on Friday as investors awaited the all-important US jobs report due tonight that could bolster the case for a Fed rate hike in 2016. US employment is expected to increase by 168,000 jobs in September after climbing by 151,000 jobs in August. The unemployment rate is expected to hold at 4.9 percent. Japanese stocks slipped after the sterling's selloff spurred risk aversion and supported safe haven bids for the yen in late Asian deals. Further, Hong Kong shares ended lower after disappointing forex reserves data from China. The country's foreign exchange reserves shrank at a faster pace to extend declines for the third consecutive month in September. The Chinese markets remained closed for the Golden Week holidays and will reopen on Monday.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | - | - | - |
Hang Seng | 23,851.82 | -100.68 | -0.42 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,377.15 | -32.20 | -0.60 |
KLSE Composite | 1,665.38 | -1.35 | -0.08 |
Nikkei 225 | 16,860.09 | -39.01 | -0.23 |
Straits Times | 2,875.24 | -9.98 | -0.35 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,053.80 | -11.50 | -0.56 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,265.81 | -18.50 | -0.20 |