Asian equity markets ended mostly lower on Friday, reacting to a mixed bag of US earnings and US President Donald Trump's warning of a ‘major, major conflict’ between the US and North Korea weighing on markets. Trump said a major conflict with North Korea was possible over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, but he would prefer a diplomatic outcome to the dispute. A slew of US earnings released after the closing bell on Thursday have been less inspiring. While Google parent Alphabet and Amazon reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings and revenue, Intel and Microsoft reported lower-than-expected quarterly revenue. Starbucks' same-store sales also failed to meet Wall Street expectations. Japanese shares lost ground as investors digested a barrage of economic data. Japan's industrial output fell 2.1 percent in March from the previous month after a 3.2 percent gain in February, government data showed. The jobless rate held steady at 2.8 percent in the month, household spending fell more than expected and consumer price inflation remained stagnant at 0.2 percent, while retail sales raised more than expected, separate reports showed. Meanwhile, Chinese shares ended higher, but posted worst month of the year on fears that regulators will step up their latest crackdown on riskier types of financing and speculation, and on lingering worries over economic growth.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,154.66 | 2.47 | 0.08 |
Hang Seng | 24,615.13 | -83.35 | -0.34 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,685.30 | -21.73 | -0.38 |
KLSE Composite | 1,768.06 | 0.14 | 0.01 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,196.74 | -55.13 | -0.29 |
Straits Times | 3,175.44 | 4.08 | 0.13 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,205.44 | -4.02 | -0.18 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,872.00 | 11.38 | 0.12 |