Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Friday as mainland Chinese markets hit their lowest since 2019 and Australian markets neared an all-time high, reports CNBC.
Mainland China's CSI 300 slipped 0.42 per cent to 3,172.47, its lowest level since January 2019.
In contrast, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.3 per cent and closed at 8,099.9. During the session, the index crossed its all-time closing high of 8,114.7 briefly, before giving up its gains.
South Korea's Kospi rose 0.13 per cent, ending at 2,575.41 while the small-cap Kosdaq finished 0.3 per cent higher at 733.2. Shares of chip heavyweight Samsung Electronics slipped almost 3 per cent as workers in its India plant reportedly went on strike for a fifth consecutive day.
Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.68 per cent to 36,581.76, while the broad-based Topix dropped 0.86 per cent and closed at 2,571.14.
The yen strengthened 0.53 per cent against the U.S. dollar to 141.05 on Friday. The currency briefly touched 140.62, its strongest intraday level since Dec. 28, 2023.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index had gained 0.81 per cent as of its final hour of trade.
Meanwhile, European stocks were higher on Friday as investors continue to digest the European Central Bank's decision to cut rates and its impact on future monetary policy.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 was up 0.73 per cent by 2:54 p.m. London time, with all major bourses and sectors trading in positive territory. Autos led gains, up 1.81 per cent, while retail stocks were also 1.58 per cent higher.
Shares of French financial services firm Worldline plunged more than 19 per cent at one point after it announced the departure of its CEO and adjusted in full-year guidance amid what it said were "slower trading conditions."
The European Central Bank slashed rates as expected on Thursday, marking its second 25-basis-point cut this year and bringing its key interest rate to 3.5 per cent.
Policymakers gave little indication on the course for monetary policy, however, with President Christine Lagarde saying the bank was not "pre-committing to a particular rate path."
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