Asia-Pacific markets were lower Friday as investors look to inflation data out of Japan and Singapore, as well as flash estimates from the au Jibun bank on Japan’s manufacturing and services activity.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 plunged 483.34 points, or 1.5%, to 32,781.54, ending an eight-day run above the 33,000 mark.
Japan’s core inflation rate in May eased slightly to 3.2% year-on-year, lower than April’s 3.4% but still above the BOJ’s 2% target. The May core inflation rate was slightly above the 3.1% expected by economists polled by Reuters.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng dropped 328.38 points, or 1.7%, to 18,889.97, leading losses in the region as it comes back from a public holiday, dragged by health-care and tech stocks.
Australian markets moved lower marking a third straight day of losses. The decline follows its largest one-day fall in June on Thursday.
In other markets
Markets in Shanghai and Taiwan were shuttered for holiday.
In Korea, the Kospi Index faltered 23.6 points, or 0.9%, to 2,570.10.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 lost 1.5 points to 11,737.55.
In Australia, ASX 200 dropped 96.26 points, or 1.3%, to 7,099.23.
