Markets in Asia closed mixed on Friday, following the lower close stateside on weak earnings from U.S. retailer Macy's and ahead of the G7 finance meeting in Italy.
The Nikkei 225 lost 77.65 points, or 0.4% to 19,883.90
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 30.79 points, or 0.1%, to 25,156.34
Retail stocks in Asia were mixed following the softer lead from U.S. retailers in the previous session, with South Korea's Lotte Shopping closed higher by 2.3% but Australian retailers mostly trading lower. Myer shares dropped 3.6% and Harvey Norman closed 2.7% down.
In Singapore, shares of commodity trader Noble Group tumbled 20% after the company reported sharp losses for Q1 despite attempts to restructure. The company's executive chairman, Richard Elman, said in a note published on the Singapore Exchange that he would be stepping down.
DBS Research maintained its "hold" call on the company, adding that questions about Noble's ability to "secure sufficient liquidity" from banks remained.
Mobile gaming company Netmarble Games debuted in South Korea above its IPO price. The company raised $2.3 billion U.S. it what was the second largest IPO in South Korea. Netmarble closed 1.8% lower at 162,000 won a share.
Dollar/yen was weaker, with the U.S. dollar fetching 113.72 yen. Dollar/yen climbed above the 114 level in the last two sessions.
In other markets
Shanghai’s CSI 300 advanced 28.73 points, or 0.9%, to 3,385.38
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index advanced 33.16 points, or 0.3%, to 10,001.48
In Korea, the Kospi index recovered 26.25 points, or 1.2%, to 2,296.37
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index retreated 15.82 points, or 0.5%, to 3,255.29
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 faded 37.33 points, or 0.5%, to 7,452.38
In Australia, the ASX 200 dropped 41.43 points, or 0.7%, to 5,836.90
