Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Friday as investors assessed a fresh round of regional economic data, while market activity in the United States remained muted due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
By 12 pm AEDT (1 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was trading flat, mirroring the subdued tone across the region. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.2%, while South Korea’s Kospi 200 fell 1%.
Tokyo inflation data was in focus. Headline inflation for October eased slightly to 2.7% from 2.8% in the previous month. Core inflation, however, edged up to 2.8%, just above expectations of 2.7%.
Meanwhile, Industrial production rose by 1.4%, beating forecasts for a 0.6% decline, though it slowed from September’s 2.6% increase. Retail sales also lifted, rising 1.6%.
In the United States, major indices were closed for Thanksgiving, with futures hovering around 0.1% higher overnight.
Commodities saw modest moves. Brent crude added 0.5% to settle at US$62.87 per barrel, while spot gold slipped 0.1% to US$4,158.80 an ounce.
Across China on Thursday, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.3% to 3,875.3, while the CSI 300 dipped 0.1% to 4,515.4.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.1% to 25,945.9. In India, the BSE Sensex closed 0.1% higher at 85,720.4, touching a fresh intraday record during the session.
European markets ended slightly higher. The FTSE 100 edged up 2.4 points to 9,693.9, Germany’s DAX added 0.2% to 23,768.0, and France’s CAC 40 rose 3 points to 8,099.5.
