Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Friday as investors digested Japan’s consumer price index figures for June. The country’s core inflation rate – which strips out costs of fresh food – came in at 3.3%, in line with expectations of economists polled by Reuters, official data showed.
This is slightly higher than May’s figure of 3.2%, and also above the Bank of Japan’s 2% target. The country’s headline inflation rate also came in at 3.3% in June, up from May’s figure of 3.2%.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index slumped 186.27 points, or 0.6%, to 32,304.25, as the inflation data comes ahead of the BOJ’s closely watched meeting next week for its rate decision.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng revived 147.24 points, or 0.8%, to 19,075.26.
Australian markets fell, dragged mainly by technology services stocks.
In other markets
In China, the CSI 300 sank 1.78 points, or 0.1%, to 3,821.91.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index eked up 3.92 points, or 0.1%, to 3,278.30.
In Korea, the Kospi Index jumped 9.53 points, or 0.1%, to 2,609.76.
In Taiwan, the Taiex index faded 134.19 points, or 0.8%, to 17,030.70.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 recovered 8.33 points, or 0.1%, to 11,940.44.
In Australia, ASX 200 slid 11.16 points, or 0.2%, to 7,313.89.