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Asian markets mixed on weak lead from Wall Street Asian markets mixed on weak lead from Wall Street
(35 minutes later)
Asian markets traded mixed on Friday after taking a weak lead from Wall Street, where shares saw choppy trade as the prospect of higher interest rates gained momentum.Asian markets traded mixed on Friday after taking a weak lead from Wall Street, where shares saw choppy trade as the prospect of higher interest rates gained momentum.
The Dow Jones and S&P 500 closed flat after several firms reported earnings that showed a mixed picture of the economy.The Dow Jones and S&P 500 closed flat after several firms reported earnings that showed a mixed picture of the economy.
The markets had been rallying this week on the Federal Reserve's hints that the US economy was strong enough to raise rates in December.The markets had been rallying this week on the Federal Reserve's hints that the US economy was strong enough to raise rates in December.
The Nikkei was down by 0.6% to 19,741.06 points. The Nikkei was down by 0.5% to 19,753.14 points.
The Japanese benchmark index retreated from the three-month highs hit on Thursday as the yen strengthened against the dollar.The Japanese benchmark index retreated from the three-month highs hit on Thursday as the yen strengthened against the dollar.
A stronger yen is considered bad for Japanese exporters because it makes their goods more expensive to buy overseas.A stronger yen is considered bad for Japanese exporters because it makes their goods more expensive to buy overseas.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 index was up 0.2% in early trade despite China's slowing growth weighing on metal prices. Chinese shares traded flat, with the Shanghai Composite at 3,617.34 points, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was down 0.2% to 22,448.61 points in early trade.
South Korea's benchmark Kospi index gained 0.1% to 1,990.59. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 index was up 0.4% to 5,265.40 despite China's slowing growth weighing on metal prices.
South Korea's benchmark Kospi index gained 0.1% to 1,991.05.
The country's finance minister Choi Kyung-hwan said the government will maintain policies aimed at boosting domestic demand over the next year and they will help the economy achieve 3% growth or higher in 2016.The country's finance minister Choi Kyung-hwan said the government will maintain policies aimed at boosting domestic demand over the next year and they will help the economy achieve 3% growth or higher in 2016.