Japanese and South Korean markets ended lower Friday, setting the tone for a broad regional contraction, as Samsung Electronics Co., Elpida Memory Inc. and other chip-related shares fell back in light of a series of disappointing earnings reports in the sector.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index fell 36.37 points, or 0.21 percent, to finish at 17,421.93 points while the benchmark Hang Seng Index shed 388.70 points, or 1.9 percent, to 20,281.13.
Retail companies and other issues judged to be sensitive to domestic demand fell after the government said the core consumer price index rose a lower-than-expected 0.1 percent on year in December. Department store Marui Co. fell 1.77 percent to 1,495 yen ($12.36).
Other decliners included technology stock Elpida Memory Inc. and Mizuho Financial Group Inc.
Elsewhere:
BANGKOK: Thai shares fell 0.5 percent at 657.65, led by blue chips.
BOMBAY: Markets were closed Friday for a national holiday, India's Republic day, and will be closed again on Tuesday for a Muslim holiday.
JAKARTA: Indonesia shares closed lower for the fifth consecutive session. The Jakarta Stock Exchange Composite index was down 0.8 percent at 1,759.21.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shares fell but was off earlier lows as late bargain hunting trimmed earlier losses due to profit-taking. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index lost 0.8 percent to 1,170.35 points.
MANILA: Philippine shares plunged as investors locked in profits from a six-day rally that propelled the market to its highest in nearly 10 years. The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 3.4 percent, or 112.37 points, to 3,162.82, after gaining 7.7 percent in the last six sessions.
SEOUL: South Korean shares fell, dragged by losses in heavyweight technology shares. The won fell to its lowest level in more than two months. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, lost 11.03 points, or 0.8 percent, to 1,371.33.
SHANGHAI: Chinese stocks rose, with banks surging on expectations of strong demand next week, helping the market reverse a steep fall early in the session. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.9 percent to 2,882.56, after falling 4 percent Thursday and another 4.8 percent earlier in the day.
SINGAPORE: Singapore's shares ended lower for the second straight session on profit taking and an overnight fall on Wall Street. The Straits Times Index closed down 20.89 points, or 0.67 percent, at 3,087.74.
TAIPEI: Taiwanese shares fell slightly as investors turned cautious on the technology sector. The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange dropped 102.45 points, or 1.3 percent, to 7,821.32.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand's stocks closed marginally lower as the strength of the local currency, particularly against the Australian dollar, tugged down export and dual-listed shares. The benchmark NZX-50 index fell 14 points or 0.4 percent to 4,120.86 in modest trade.
SYDNEY: Australian markets were closed Friday for the national Australia Day holiday.
With files from wire services
