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Markets mostly down across Asia following a rocky week Markets mostly down across Asia following a rocky week
(about 4 hours later)
Asia's markets were mostly down in early trade on Friday following a rocky week featuring particularly volatile swings in Tokyo. Asia's markets were mostly down in trade on Friday following a rocky week featuring particularly volatile swings in Tokyo.
Japan's Nikkei opened 0.75% lower but was later down just 0.3% at 18,246.8. Japan's benchmark Nikkei index spent most of the day in negative territory to close down 0.19% at 18,264.22
After surging almost 8% on Wednesday, the Nikkei closed down on Thursday 2.5% at 18,299.6 - among Asia's big losers. After surging almost 8% on Wednesday, the Tokyo index closed down 2.5% on Thursday - among Asia's big losers.
Investors are showing signs of concern over whether the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next week. Investor concern over whether or not the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next week has set in.
They have also been concerned over the strength of China's economy, which is the world's second-biggest after the United States. Investor sentiment has also been affected by the slowing Chinese economy, which is the world's second-biggest after the United States.
Japan's investors seem to shrug off news that Japan Post is seeking to raise as much as 1.39tn yen ($11.5bn, £7.4bn) in a stock market listing that would be one of the world's biggest this year. Japan's investors seem to shrug off news that Japan Post is seeking to raise as much as 1.39tn yen ($11.5bn, £7.4bn) in a stock market listing - including its banking and insurance arms - that would be one of the world's biggest this year.
The plan for the state-owned giant would be one of Japan's largest public share sales in more than 30 years.The plan for the state-owned giant would be one of Japan's largest public share sales in more than 30 years.
Sydney fallsSydney falls
In Australia, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.4% at 5,075.3 points despite gains on Wall Street overnight. In Australia, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closed down 0.47% at 5,071.10 points despite gains on Wall Street overnight.
Analysts said energy stocks could give the Australian market a boost after oil prices rose by 4%. Analysts said investors there were also concerned about a possible rise in US interest rates.
The US Energy Information Agency said oil production had fallen to a one-year low in August and was likely to keep falling into 2016. After being the one bright spot in Asia yesterday, South Korea's benchmark Kospi closed down 1.06% at 1,941.37. The Bank of Korea left its benchmark rate unchanged at 1.5% on Friday.
"This seemed to shroud out the higher than expected growth in oil inventories, seeing WTI (West Texas Intermediate crude) rise 4%," said Angus Nicholson of IG Markets. The Shanghai Composite was flat in late afternoon trade, down 0.01% at 3,198.12, while markets in Hong Kong were offering some encouraging signs, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng up 0.67% at 21,708.12.
"This may see some boost to the energy sector after a bit of a sell-off yesterday as buyout speculation calmed," he added.
After being the one bright spot in Asia yesterday, South Korea's benchmark Kospi was down 0.9% at 1,945.1 points. The Bank of Korea left its benchmark rate unchanged at 1.5% on Friday.
However, China's markets were offering some encouraging signs, with the Shanghai Composite up 0.44% at 3,212 points, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up 0.55% at 21,674 points in early trade.