Asian markets opened mixed on Friday, ending a strong week with cautious sentiment. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong fell 0.8%, dragged down by technology, property and consumer shares. Investor confidence was dented by weak loan data from China, despite Beijing easing export controls on rare earths.
Japan’s market saw selective gains, showing resilience despite a sharper-than-expected GDP contraction in the first quarter. Concerns remain over potential new US tariffs on Japanese goods.
In South Korea and Australia, stocks edged higher, while mainland Chinese markets opened modestly firmer. The Shanghai Composite is now up 0.34% year-to-date, reflecting mild optimism.
European markets are set to open higher following Thursday’s rally. The STOXX 600 rose 0.5%, led by gains in healthcare stocks. Investors are eyeing inflation readings from the eurozone and the UK, as well as preliminary PMI data for May, which could shape interest rate expectations.
In the US, stock futures point to a subdued open after the S&P 500 and Dow Jones closed higher on Thursday. The Nasdaq was flat, weighed by declines in Amazon and Meta. UnitedHealth plunged 11% amid a federal investigation, dragging down the broader healthcare sector.
Markets globally are bracing for key inflation figures and further signals on the direction of US-China trade relations. Volatility is expected as traders adjust positions ahead of the weekend.
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