Asian shares traded cautiously on Friday despite crude oil prices dipped following a recent rally. Profit-taking and the anticipation of supply increases from Russia and Saudi Arabia overshadowed expectations of robust demand from China during its Golden Week holiday.
The Japanese Nikkei 225 experienced a slight decline, dropping by 0.26% or 82.58 points to close at 31,789.94, while the Topix also saw a modest decrease of 0.49%, or 11.50 points, ending the day at 2,334.01. In contrast, the Kospi managed to eke out a marginal gain of 0.085%, adding 2.10 points to reach 2,465.07. Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX 100 exhibited some positive momentum, rising by 0.24% or 14.30 points to settle at 5,919.50.
Earlier, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.35%, or 116.07 points, reaching 33,666.34, while the S&P 500 gained 0.59%, or 25.19 points, closing at 4,299.70, and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.83%, or 108.43 points, to reach 13,201.28.
Furthermore, investors remained vigilant about developments in Washington, where the possibility of a government shutdown hung in the balance as U.S. lawmakers deliberated on potential solutions.
In the commodities market, spot gold experienced a 0.4% decline, reaching $1,866.58 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures fell 0.37% to $1,865.40 per ounce.
