HONG KONG: Asian markets were mixed on Friday, with Tokyo tumbling as the dollar fell to a two-week low against the yen after suffering a sell-off in New York.
A disappointing batch of jobs and consumer data out of the United States kept Wall Street muted, although they provided hope that the Federal Reserve will hold off winding down its stimulus for the time being.
Tokyo dived 2.97 percent, or 432.95 points, to 14,129.98 and Shanghai was 0.51 percent off, shedding 10.32 points to 2,010.85.
Seoul was flat, edging up 1.20 points to 1,910.81, while Sydney added 0.13 percent, or 6.4 points, to close at 5,042.0. Hong Kong was up 0.11 percent in the afternoon.
The Nikkei suffered its worst loss since the start of June after the dollar tumbled against the yen as dealers absorbed the weak US figures.
The Labor Department said initial jobless claims rose to 343,000 in the week ending July 20, an increase of 7,000 from the prior week's upwardly revised 336,000 claims, and more than the 340,000 expected.
Durable goods orders rose 4.2 percent in June, but BK Asset Management managing director Boris Schlossberg said the result missed expectations when the volatile transportation sector is excluded, leaving orders flat.
The figures increased the likelihood the Fed would keep its bond-buying scheme in place for the rest of the year to make sure the US economy can get back on track. It also means the bank will continue pumping dollars into the financial system, meaning it is less in demand.
The greenback sank to 99.24 yen in New York Thursday, from 100.00 yen earlier in Tokyo.
And in early Japanese trade Friday the US unit fell even further to 98.70 yen.
The dollar also fell against the euro Thursday in the wake of a closely watched German business climate index, which rose more than forecast this month.
The euro traded at $1.3274 in Asia Friday from $1.3277 in New York, and well up from Thursday's level of $1.3209. The single currency was also at 131.25 yen from 131.75 yen in New York.
In US equity trading the Dow edged up 0.09 percent and the S&P 500 added 0.26 percent. But the Nasdaq rose 0.71 percent, driven by Facebook, which soared 30 percent following a better-than-expected earnings report.
On oil markets, New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for September, eased three cents to $105.46 a barrel, while Brent North Sea crude for September tumbled six cents to $107.59.
Gold cost $1,335.00 per ounce at 0700 GMT, compared with $1,313.40 late Thursday.
In other markets:
-- Taipei fell 0.17 percent, or 14.18 points, to 8,149.40.
Smartphone maker HTC fell 0.57 percent to Tw$175.0, while Hon Hai was 0.39 percent lower at Tw$78.9.
-- Wellington rose 0.11 percent, or 5.19 points, to 4,581.99.
Fletcher Building was up 0.48 percent at NZ$8.31 and Telecom was steady at NZ$2.35.
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