Asian markets settled mostly down on Friday as investors are awaiting key US data next week, including job openings, the ADP employment report and the employment report for further insights into the Federal Reserve's monetary policy direction. Japanese markets declined and the yen strengthened as data showed that core inflation in the capital region came in above the 2 percent target boosted expectations for an interest rate hike in the near-term. Seoul shares fell as the local central bank's interest rate cut raised economic slowdown worries, while an increasingly tense geopolitical environment on the Korean Peninsula also kept investors cautious. However, Chinese shares logged strong gains with speculation that China will provide more support for the economy at a key policy meeting next month. China is set to prolong tariff exemptions for specific US imports until February 28, 2025, signifying a potential easing in trade barriers amid US trade tensions.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,326.46 | 30.76 | 0.92 |
| Hang Seng | 19,423.61 | 56.65 | 0.29 |
| Jakarta Composite | 7,114.27 | -85.89 | -1.21 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,594.29 | -3.20 | -0.20 |
| Nikkei 225 | 38,208.03 | -141.03 | -0.37 |
| Straits Times | 3,739.29 | 2.04 | 0.05 |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,455.91 | -48.76 | -1.99 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 22,262.50 | -36.40 | -0.16 |
