Asia-Pacific markets opened lower on Friday as investors digested Tokyo's November inflation data and South Korea's industrial production figures.
By 12:30 pm AEDT (1:30 am GMT) Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 0.8%, while South Korea’s Kospi slid 2%, and Australia’s ASX 200 fell 0.6%.
The declines came after Tokyo reported its headline inflation rate rose to 2.6% year-on-year in November, rebounding from 1.8% in October.
Core inflation, excluding fresh food, edged up to 2.2%, slightly exceeding expectations of 2.1%.
In South Korea, industrial production for October grew 2.3% year-on-year, reversing a 1.3% decline in September, reflecting a rebound in manufacturing activity.
On Thursday, China’s major indices closed lower, as the Shanghai Composite fell 0.4%, and the CSI 300 declined 0.9%.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 1.2%.
In India, the BSE SENSEX ended 1.5% lower at 79,043.7.
European markets provided a contrast, with shares closing higher. Germany's DAX climbed 0.9% to 19,425.7, while France's CAC 40 rose 0.5% to 7,179.3. The UK’s FTSE 100 added 0.1%, closing at 8,281.2.
Meanwhile, U.S. markets were closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday and will have shortened trading hours on Friday.
