Japan stocks closed lower on Friday, breaking a nine-session string of gains.
The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo finished in the red 47.01 points, or 0.3%, to 15,539.19, but still ended higher for a second straight week. For the week, the index gained 1.4%. Meanwhile, the yen strengthened, trading at ¥103.734 against the U.S. dollar from ¥103.840 a day earlier.
Market movers included electronics giant Panasonic Corporation, falling 1.4%, computer maker NEC Corp. losing 1.3%, electronics maker Sharp Corporation down 1.2%, and IT services provider Fujitsu Ltd. off 1.1%.
The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong spiked 118.13 points, or 0.5%, to 25,112.23 with index heavyweight China Mobile Ltd. advancing 0.6%, after reports said the leading state-owned telecom is creating a new media company and would open the business to private investors as part of its mixed-ownership reform push.
However, Li & Fung Ltd. a major supplier for the likes of Wal-Mart Stores and Target Corp. tumbled 4.6% after its first-half revenue fell short of market expectations
In other markets;
The Shanghai CSI 300 index gained 11.12 points, or 0.5%, to 2,365.36
In Singapore, the Straits Times STI Index inched up 1.41 points to 3,325.50
In Korea, the Kospi index added 12.49 points, or 0.6%, to 2,056.70
The Taiex Index in Taiwan recovered 126.72 points, or 1.4%, to 9,380.10
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 improved 14.08 points, or 0.3%, to 5,167
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 took on 6.75 points, or 0.1%, to 5,645.62
