Asian markets ended mixed on Friday as caution grew over rising US Treasury yields following statements that a US naval blockade of Iranian ports could continue indefinitely, and as investors awaited US retail sales and consumer sentiment readings due later in the day. Meanwhile, mild US inflation figures raised optimism that the US Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady next month. Japanese shares gained by tracking a strong lead from Wall Street. Meanwhile the yen held steady despite reports suggesting that the Bank of Japan is eying a September rate hike and could move more aggressively with subsequent increases to stem the currency's falls. South Korea’s Kospi climbed, with technology stocks leading the gains on renewed optimism over AI spending. South Korean markets rose as data showed South Korea's export prices surged 49.1% year-on-year in July, marking the largest increase since 1998 during the Asian financial crisis.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,927.18 | 0.21 | 0.01 |
| Hang Seng | 25,116.85 | -279.66 | -1.10 |
| Jakarta Composite | 6,401.89 | 100.12 | 1.56 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,727.39 | -7.32 | -0.42 |
| Nikkei 225 | 68,713.80 | 405.21 | 0.59 |
| Straits Times | 5,743.59 | 23.54 | 0.41 |
| KOSPI Composite | 6,977.94 | 164.60 | 2.42 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 45,811.01 | -210.47 | -0.46 |
