Stocks in the Asia-Pacific dipped on Friday, as investors await the closely watched February non-farm payrolls report from the U.S. that could further determine the direction on the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes ahead.
The Nikkei 225 in Japan backpedaled 479.18 points, or 1.7%, to 28,143.97, as the Bank of Japan held its interest rates at -0.1%, widely in line with expectations in a Reuters poll.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index lost 605.32 points, or 3%, to 19.319.92.
Australian markets plummeted, continuing the selloff on Wall Street led by bank stocks on contagion worries related to Silicon Valley Bank.
CHINA
In China, the CSI 300 dropped 52.71 points, or 1.3%, to 3,967.14, as China’s Xi Jinping formally secured an unprecedented third term as president.
In other markets
In Singapore, the Straits Times fell 37.08 points, or 1.2%, to 3,177.43.
In Taiwan, the Taiex fell 244.46 points, or 1.6%, to 15,526.20.
In Korea, the Kospi slid 24.5 points, or 1%, to 2,394.59.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 gave up 99.11 points, or 0.8%, to 11,727.04.
In Australia, the ASX 200 subsided 166.44 points, or 2.3%, to 7,144.69.
