Asian markets ended mostly lower on Friday driven by the sell-offs in Wall Street overnight due to worries about the impact of AI on software companies. Moreover, heightened volatility observed in metals and cryptocurrency markets coupled with several discouraging reports on the US job market also dampened risk appetite in Asian markets. The Labor Department reported that US Applications for jobless aid for the week ending January 31 rose by 22,000 to 231,000 from the previous week. Indonesian shares tumbled after Moody’s downgraded the outlook on the country’s credit rating, citing reduced predictability in policymaking. Although, Japan’s Nikkei jumped as investors focused on national election due on Sunday with optimism.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 4,065.58 | -10.33 | -0.25 |
| Hang Seng | 26,559.95 | -325.29 | -1.21 |
| Jakarta Composite | 7,935.26 | -168.62 | -2.08 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,732.83 | 1.81 | 0.10 |
| Nikkei 225 | 54,253.68 | 435.64 | 0.81 |
| Straits Times | 4,934.41 | -41.46 | -0.83 |
| KOSPI Composite | 5,089.14 | -74.43 | -1.44 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 31,782.92 | -18.35 | -0.06 |
