Markets in Asia closed in a mixed state on Friday, with Hong Kong’s bourse leading the gainers as it recovered from a heavy sell-off in previous sessions.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 slipped 0.03% to 28,478.56, as the yen was flat against the dollar, last trading at JPY 115.83.
Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing was down 0.34%, while among the benchmark’s other major components, robotics specialist Fanuc was up 0.51% and technology investing giant SoftBank Group jumped 2.18%.
The broader Topix index was 0.07% weaker by the end of trading in Tokyo, settling at 1,995.68.
On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite was off 0.18% at 3,579.54, and the smaller, technology-centric Shenzhen Composite slid 1.15% to 2,452.82.
South Korea’s Kospi was ahead 1.18% at 2,954.89, while the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong advanced 1.82% to 23,493.38.
The Chinese property sector was in focus in the special administrative region, with Shimao Group sliding 5.43% after a report from Reuters said the company had defaulted on a trust loan, after missing a CNY 645m payment.
Its property development peers managed gains in Hong Kong, however, with the embattled China Evergrande up 4.85% and Sunac gaining 4.08% by the end of the session.
Seoul’s blue-chip technology stocks ended the day above the waterline, with Samsung Electronics up 1.82% and SK Hynix adding 1.6%.
“It looks like investors are really trying to start 2022 in an optimistic spirit but despite a clear diminishing of concern over Omicron, there are still enough worries out there to prevent them from getting carried away,” said AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould of the global situation on Friday.
“Later on the US non-farm payrolls number will be closely monitored.”
Mould said the release would be the first based on hard data to give an insight into the health of the world’s largest economy in the wake of Omicron, and was also being watched as a “key influence” on the decision-making of the Federal Reserve.
“A stronger than expected number might add to the impression given by the recently released minutes of the Fed’s latest meeting that rates are set to rise further and faster in the short term and provide another jolt to markets.”
Oil prices were higher as the region entered the weekend, with Brent crude last up 1.11% at $82.90 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate rising 1.16% to $80.38.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was ahead 1.29% at 7,453.30, underpinned by the hefty financials subindex, which was 1.93% firmer.
The ‘big four’ banks were all in the green in the sunburnt country, with Australia and New Zealand Banking Group up 2.6%, Commonwealth Bank of Australia rising 2.68%, National Australia Bank ahead 1.55%, and Westpac Banking Corporation advancing 1.26%.
Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand’s S&P/NZX 50 was off 0.1% at 12,970.65, with cinema technology company Vista Group dragging on the index, as it lost 2.6%.
The down under dollars were in a mixed state against the greenback, with the Aussie last 0.12% weaker at AUD 1.3975, while the Kiwi strengthened 0.05% to change hands at NZD 1.4811.
