Asia markets lost ground Friday, following an overnight decline in U.S. equities, as the market priced in increasing chances the Federal Reserve might hike interest rates later this month.
The Nikkei 225 Index dropped 95.63 points, or 0.5%, to 19,469.17
The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong sank 175.35 points, or 0.7%, to 23,552.72
Banking stocks struggled, with Mitsubishi UFJ slipping 0.6% and Mizuho lower by 0.3%.
Exporters were mixed, with some losing ground as the yen strengthened against the U.S. dollar: Toyota shares fell 0.2% Mitsubishi Electric was down 1% while Sony rose 0.5%
The yen traded at 114.13 to the U.S. dollar mid-afternoon local time, strengthening from an earlier low of 114.47. But the currency was still relatively weaker, having slipped from levels near 111.60 earlier this week.
In Korean markets, retailers saw sharp declines, with Lotte Shopping closing down 0.9%, Shinsegae off by 4.9% and Hyundai Department Store down 3.4%
Media outlets reported Thursday a cyber attack using a Chinese internet protocol addresses crashed the website of Lotte Duty Free. The attacked followed affiliate Lotte International's approval for a land swap to allow the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system on what was once its property in response to the North Korean missile threat
Local media reports also said China had ordered tour operators to stop selling trips to South Korea as a result of the THAAD deployment. Shares of Hyundai Motor tumbled 4.4% on the back of the news.
In Australia, the financial sector closed down 0.7% as major banks lost ground. ANZ shares were down 0.6%, Commonwealth Bank of Australia was off by 0.8%, Westpac was lower by 1% and the National Australia Bank fell 0.9%.
Australian gold miners saw steep declines Friday, with Newcrest down 3%, Evolution Mining down 5.1% and Alacer Gold off by 5.2%
The Australian dollar traded at $0.7562 U.S.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 wilted 7.24 points, or 0.2%, to 3,427.86
The onshore yuan traded weaker to the U.S. dollar at 6.8976, while the offshore yuan fetched 6.8932. The People's Bank of China set the yuan mid-point fix at 6.8896 to the dollar Friday.
In other markets
In Taiwan, the Taiex slid 43.59 points, or 0.5%, to 9,648.21
The Kospi Index in Korea surrendered 23.9 points, or 1.1%, to 2,078.75
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index subtracted 14.14 points, or 0.5%, to 3,122.34
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 dipped 14.96 points, or 0.2%, to 7,160.87
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 skidded 46.99 points, or 0.8%, to 5,729.60
