Asian markets traded mixed in early deals on Friday, saddled by a sharp retreat in technology stocks. The decline is followed by OpenAI revenue reports, which sparked intense doubts about the global AI spending boom. Rising energy prices also pressured regional confidence, with Brent crude surging past $103.70 a barrel amid escalating Middle East tensions. China’s Shanghai plunged to its lowest level in more than two months, after disappointing domestic consumption and retail spending data released immediately following the National Day Golden Week holiday. Stock market of South Korea and Taiwan are closed, observing Hangul Day and an official substitute holiday for National Day, respectively.
Nikkei down by 248.11 points or 0.36% to 68,794.00, Straits Times dipped by 9.00 points or 0.17% to 5,403.96, and Shanghai Composite tumbled by 46.19 points or 1.21% to 3,765.71.
On the flipside, Hang Seng up by 240.21 points or 1.00% to 24,026.00, Jakarta Composite lifted by 11.37 points or 0.19% to 6,052.62, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI index added by 8.46 points or 0.53% to 1,609.47.
