Asia Pacific markets traded mixed Friday, as worries over trade tensions between the United States and China weighed on investor sentiment.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 dropped 33.92 points, or 0.2%, to 21,151.14.
The Japanese yen, considered a safe haven currency, traded at 109.53 to the U.S. dollar, strengthening from levels beyond 110.40 earlier in the week.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng regained 86.8 points, or 0.3%, to 27,353.93,
Australian markets dwindled with the financial sub-index down 0.45%. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar changed hands at $0.6896 U.S., gaining slightly from levels below $0.6880.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 index recouped 9.95 points, or 0.3%, to 3,593.31
Both Beijing and Washington have imposed tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of one another’s goods since last year. The trade tensions have battered financial markets and dampened business sentiment. The situation escalated earlier this month as both sides hiked tariffs on their goods.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi index slid 14.28 points, or 0.7%, to 2,045.31
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index nicked higher 9.17 points, or 0.3%, to 3,169.89
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index recovered 19.91 points to 0.2%, to 10,328.28
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 ditched 41.05 points, or 0.4%, to 10,222.36
In Australia, the ASK 200 subtracted 35.75 points, or 0.6%, to 6,456.04
