HONG KONG (AP) — Asian stocks tumbled Friday, with Japan’s Nikkei slumping 2.4% on heavy selling of semiconductor-related shares and other market heavyweights.
Tensions in the Middle East were weighing on sentiment across the region, and U.S. futures were sharply lower.
Oil prices jumped as the state-run IRNA news agency reported that Iran fired air defense batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 lost 2.4% to 37,156.54, paring losses in the early trading when it plunged 3.5%.
Semiconductor equipment supplier Lasertec was the largest loser, which lost 8.4%. But most other big tech-related shares also dropped. Renesas gave up 6%, Tokyo Electron lost 8.7% and Sony Group Corp. declined 1.8%.
Toyota Motor Corp was down 2.2%.
Japan’s headline inflation rate slowed to 2.7% in March, the government reported, while the core-core index, excluding fresh food and energy costs, moderated to 2.9%, marking the first time since November 2022 that it fell below 3%.
Danny Cipriani holidays with 90210 star AnnaLynne McCord at spiritual retreat in Egypt
Technical, technological measures facilitate restoration of seagrass beds
Novelette inspired by ancient painting wins Hugo Award
Enhanced technology ensures safety and efficiency of Chinese NEVs
Nevada Supreme Court rulings hand setbacks to gun
Enhanced technology ensures safety and efficiency of Chinese NEVs
Farmers harness science, technology to improve harvest
Meet the Real Housewives star who spent £25m on a 1,000
ALISON BOSHOFF: Robert Downey Jr's got his Oscar
Donald Trump and Lindsey Graham are again at odds, now over abortion