Asian markets exhibit mixed trade in early deals on Friday

Asian equity indices are exhibiting mixed trade in early deals on Friday, with investors treading cautiously ahead of the release of crucial US monthly non-farm payrolls data later in the day. The overnight mixed close on Wall Street too was preventing investors from indulging in significant moves. The Japanese market dropped with investors indulging in some profit taking. The mood was somewhat cautious with investors digesting a slew of Japanese economic data and a late profit warning from Sony overnight. On the economic front, the unemployment rate in Japan was a seasonally adjusted 3.6% in March that was in line with expectations and unchanged from the previous month. Among other markets in the Asia-Pacific region, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea are trading weak. Hong Kong, Indonesia and Taiwan are trading higher. KLSE Composite declined 2.46 points or 0.13% to 1,869.06, Nikkei 225 tumbled by 63.31 points or 0.44% to 14,421.82, Straits Times slipped 14.98 points or 0.46% to 3,249.73 and Seoul Composite was down by 4.52 points or 0.23% to 1,957.27.On the flip side, Hang Seng surged by 119.34 points or 0.54% to 22,253.31, Jakarta Composite was up by 17.17 points or 0.35% to 4,857.32 and Taiwan Weighted was ugained 73.02 points or 0.83% to 8,864.46. Shanghai market remained shut for the trade today for Labour Day Holiday.