Asian markets traded mixed in early deals on Friday, due to cautiousness ahead of a crucial US non-farm payrolls report and on worries over escalating geopolitical risks in the Middle East. The market volatility followed reports that Iran might block American, Israeli, and other hostile ships from passing through the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Japan’s Nikkei extended losses from previous session amidst persistent concerns about the artificial intelligence trade, as well as trimmed gains on appreciation of local currency yen.
Nikkei down by 273.26 points or 0.42% to 65,410.00, Taiwan weighted dipped by 398.58 points or 0.90% to 43,998.12, KOSPI Index trimmed by 40.87 points or 0.65% to 6,255.51, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI index narrowed by 1.17 points or 0.07% to 1,735.98
On the flip side, Straits Times up by 48.87 points or 0.87% to 5,687.86, Hang Seng rose by 50.72 points or 0.20% to 25,581.00, Jakarta Composite higher by 44.77 points or 0.70% to 6,388.48, and Shanghai Composite added by 24.64 points or 0.63% to 3,924.99
