Asian markets settled mostly higher on Friday, tracking a retreat in US Treasury yields from recent highs and comments from a Federal Reserve official that the US central bank might lower interest rates in 2025 if tariff issues are resolved. Japanese shares gained despite government data that showed core inflation accelerated to 3.5% in April as the central bank considers pausing its rate hike posture to assess the impact of US tariffs. However, Chinese shares declined despite efforts by the country's central bank PBoC to boost spending. Markets were still cautious as the US House of Representatives passed a controversial bill that could add trillions to the federal government's already massive debt.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,348.37 | -31.82 | -0.95 |
| Hang Seng | 23,601.26 | 56.95 | 0.24 |
| Jakarta Composite | 7,214.16 | 47.18 | 0.65 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,535.38 | 8.36 | 0.55 |
| Nikkei 225 | 37,160.47 | 174.60 | 0.47 |
| Straits Times | 3,882.42 | 2.33 | 0.06 |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,592.09 | -1.58 | -0.06 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 21,652.24 | -18.72 | -0.09 |
