Asian markets ended mostly lower on Friday, despite optimism that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates later in October. Investors remained cautious as they looked ahead to the release of US jobs data later in the day, following a number of disappointing figures this week that fanned concerns about the world's top economy. The survey from the US Institute for Supply Management (ISM) showed its non-manufacturing activity index falling to the lowest level in more than three years in September, and far below expectations. Hong Kong shares ended lower, with the media reporting that Hong Kong's government is set to ban wearing face masks at protests. Japanese shares ended higher on late bargain-hunting as investors looked ahead to the key US jobs data to be released later in the day. Meanwhile, markets in China remained closed for public holidays.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | - | - | - |
Hang Seng | 25,821.03 | -289.28 | -1.11 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,061.25 | 22.72 | 0.38 |
KLSE Composite | 1,556.70 | -7.42 | -0.47 |
Nikkei 225 | 21,410.20 | 68.46 | 0.32 |
Straits Times | 3,078.36 | -9.61 | -0.31 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,020.69 | -11.22 | -0.55 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,894.48 | 18.57 | 0.17 |
