Asian markets end mixed on Friday
The Kospi average breached the 5,800-point mark for the first time to hit a fresh record high led by chip and defense shares
Asian markets ended mixed on Friday, with thin trading volumes due to Lunar New Year holidays in China and Taiwan. Japanese markets lost ground amid escalating geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran, sell-off in US technology, and cautiousness ahead of upcoming US economic data that could shape expectations for Federal Reserve's interest rate policy. In Seoul, the Kospi average breached the 5,800-point mark for the first time to hit a fresh record high led by chip and defense shares. The upbeat tone in Seoul came with optimism that upcoming investor-friendly measures will boost shareholder returns and lift market valuations.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | -- | -- | -- |
| Hang Seng | 26,413.35 | -292.59 | -1.10 |
| Jakarta Composite | 8,271.77 | -2.31 | -0.03 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,752.83 | 0.72 | 0.04 |
| Nikkei 225 | 56,825.70 | -642.13 | -1.12 |
| Straits Times | 5,017.60 | 16.04 | 0.32 |
| KOSPI Composite | 5,808.53 | 131.28 | 2.31 |
| Taiwan Weighted | -- | -- | -- |
