Asia-Pacific markets mostly traded lower Friday, as concerns grew over renewed hostilities between Iran and the U.S. amid a fragile ceasefire.
The Nikkei 225 index fell back from Thursday’s thunderous gains, losing 120.19 points, or 0.2%, to 62,713.65.
Toyota Motor fell 2.2% after it reported that its fourth-quarter operating profit had slumped 49%, weighed down by U.S. tariffs.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng faded 232.57 points, or 0.9%, 26,393.71.
The U.S. and Iran traded fire in the Strait of Hormuz, with each side claiming the other initiated the attack.
Trump later claimed in a subsequent Truth Social post that the U.S. “completely destroyed” the Iranians involved in the exchange, which he said included small boats and drones that “dropped ever so beautifully down to the Ocean, very much like a butterfly dropping to its grave!”
He reiterated that Iran will face further attacks if they do not agree to a nuclear deal.
Oil futures pared early gains. The West Texas Intermediate futures for June was 0.41% higher at $95.2 per barrel as of 3:35 a.m. ET. Brent crude futures for July gained 0.81% at $100.87 per barrel.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 index dipped 28.6 points, or 0.6%, to 4,871.91
In Taiwan, the Taiex sank 329.84 points, or 0.8%, to 41,603.94.
In Singapore, the Straits Times 50 index lost 20.06 points, or 0.4%, to 4,921.90.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 docked 95.47 points, or 0.7%, to 13,175.13.
In Australia, the AZX 200 dropped 133.78 points, or 1.5%, to 8,744.36.
