Asian markets end mix ahead of Fed’s Bernanke speech

Asian markets ended mixed on Friday after Wall Street declined on pessimism about fuel prices and stagnant job growth, ahead of speech by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke hoping for possible signs of new U.S. stimulus.  Hong Kong shares ended lower on a third consecutive day on Friday, sinking deeper into the red in August, after first half corporate earnings disappointed with little prospect of imminent recovery. Japan's Nikkei average fell to a four-week low as Japanese manufacturing activity contracted in August to the lowest level in 16 months.

KLSE Composite was closed today on account of Merdeka day holiday.