Asian stock markets were lower Friday as concerns about the possibility of further bailouts for debt-laden European nations and tensions on the Korean peninsula kept buying appetite in check.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 Index backtracked 40.20 points, or 0.4%, to conclude the week at 10,039.60.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index ended a roller-coaster week on the downside, Friday’s loss amounting to 177.43 points, or 0.8%, to 22,877.20.
Oil prices hovered below $84 U.S. a barrel as traders mulled whether economic growth in China will slow and drag down demand for crude. In currencies, the dollar was up against the yen and the euro.
Analysts said markets remained jittery following a military clash between North and South Korea. Four South Koreans -- two marines and two civilians -- were killed Tuesday in an hour-long skirmish when North Korea unleashed a hail of artillery against the small island of Yeonpyeong.
The island was quiet Friday morning, but fears still lingered.
Asian markets acted without cues from the U.S., where financial markets were closed Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The downdraft in Asia follows limited gains Thursday in Europe. Key indexes in Britain, Germany and France ended higher but stock exchanges in Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Greece -- countries at the forefront of debt crisis -- closed lower.
Benchmark oil for January delivery was up five cents to $83.91 U.S. a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract last settled at $83.86 U.S. on Wednesday after gaining $2.61.
In currencies, the dollar rose to 83.74 yen from 83.71 yen. The euro slipped to $1.3327 from $1.3342 U.S.
In other markets
Shanghai’s CSI 300 Index lost 28.63 points, or 0.9%, to close at 3,194.85
Singapore’s Straits Times Index slid 1.15 points to 3,158.08
Korea’s Kospi Index eased 25.88 points, or 1.3%, to 1,901.80
Taiwan’s Taiex Index dropped 37.84 points, or 0.5%, to 8,312.15
New Zealand’s NZX 50 Index let go of 0.42 points to 3,264.25
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index moved up 4.90 points, or 0.1%, to 4,598.30
