Asian equity markets closed lower on Friday as the escalation in tensions surrounding North Korea continued to push investors towards safe-haven assets such as the Japanese yen, the Swiss franc and gold. Hong Kong shares fell, dragged down by a sell-off in internet-related shares and fears over the impact of rising tensions between the United States and North Korea. Meanwhile, China stocks stumbled as a growing war of words between the United States and North Korea combined with profit-taking in cyclical sectors to send shares down for the week. Seoul shares ended lower amid selling by foreign investors following Trump's fresh warning to North Korea. The Japanese market was closed in observance of the Mountain Day holiday.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,208.54 | -53.21 | -1.63 |
Hang Seng | 26,883.51 | -560.49 | -2.04 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,766.14 | -59.81 | -1.03 |
KLSE Composite | 1,766.96 | -10.81 | -0.61 |
Nikkei 225 | - | - | - |
Straits Times | 3,279.72 | -43.52 | -1.31 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,319.71 | -39.76 | -1.69 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,329.57 | -0.17 | - |