Asian markets closed mostly in red on Friday as trade-war worries persisted and reports suggested that special counsel Robert Mueller has subpoenaed US President Donald Trump's businesses, adding to the sense of continued political uncertainty in the US. Meanwhile, the White House denied reports that Trump has decided to remove White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster from the administration. Japanese shares closed lower, hurt by a firmer yen as investors fretted about US political uncertainty and official data showed Japan's industrial production declined more than initially estimated in January. Also, Chinese and Hong Kong stocks fell on concerns over the increasingly protectionist policies of the Donald Trump government.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,269.88 | -21.23 | -0.65 |
Hang Seng | 31,501.97 | -39.13 | -0.12 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,304.95 | -16.95 | -0.27 |
KLSE Composite | 1,846.39 | 1.12 | 0.06 |
Nikkei 225 | 21,676.51 | -127.44 | -0.58 |
Straits Times | 3,512.14 | -5.59 | -0.16 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,493.97 | 1.59 | 0.06 |
Taiwan Weighted | 11,027.70 | 9.25 | 0.08 |
