Investing.com– Most Asian stocks fell on Friday as an escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war dented risk appetite, while Japan's Nikkei dropped as the yen surged on strong inflation data.
The U.S. Thanksgiving holiday left Asian markets with few overnight cues. U.S. index futures edged higher in Asia hours on Friday.
Russia on Thursday launched a second big attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure this month, as Moscow ramped up its offensive against Ukraine over Kyiv's use of Western-made weapons. President Vladimir Putin threatened to use new ballistic missiles to hit "decision-making centres" in the Ukrainian capital.
Thailand's SET Index dropped 0.2% and Indonesia's Jakarta Stock Exchange Composite Index declined 0.8%, while India's Nifty 50 rose marginally in early trade.
South Korea's KOSPI slumped nearly 2%, led by declines in big-cap tech shares amid concerns about an economic slowdown. Data showed that the country's industrial output, retail sales and facility investment all fell month-on-month in October, deepening concerns about a lack of growth momentum.
South Korean major Samsung Electronics Co (KS:005930) fell 1.8%, and chip giant SK Hynix Inc (KS:000660) lost 0.7%.
Australia's ASX 200 fell 0.3%, while Malaysia's FTSE Malaysia KLCI index inched 0.2% lower.
Japan shares fall as CPI data fuels BOJ rate hike bets
Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.5% after the Japanese yen hit its strongest level against the dollar in just over a month, following stronger than expected inflation print from Tokyo. The TOPIX index was down 0.3%.
November data showed that core consumer prices in Tokyo rose more than expected, pulling further above the Bank of Japan’s 2% target. The reading pointed to growing inflationary pressure and reinforced expectations that the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates in December.
BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda had also recently reiterated the central bank’s plans to hike interest rates further, citing a “virtuous cycle” of higher wages and steady inflation.
Tech gains boost Chinese stocks
Bucking the local trend, China's Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 index rose 1.6%, while the Shanghai Composite index gained 1.4%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index jumped 1.3%.
Chinese markets saw some relief following reports that the U.S. may impose less severe sanctions on China's semiconductor industry than compared to previous proposals. Hong Kong listed shares of Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (HK:0981) (SMIC) jumped more than 4%, while Shanghai-listed Hua Hong Semiconductor Ltd (SS:688347) climbed 3.7%.
Purchasing managers index due on Saturday is expected to show China's manufacturing sector marked modest growth for the second month in a row in November, according to a Reuters poll. The reading comes as Beijing doled out a slew of key stimulus measures in recent months.
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