Stock markets in the Asia-Pacific region predominantly declined, reflecting the losses observed in the S&P 500 and the technology-focused Nasdaq during the previous trading session. Australia’s benchmark index experienced a decrease of 0.65%, settling at 8,869.1. South Korea’s Kospi experienced a slight increase, reaching 5,224.36, whereas the small-cap Kosdaq declined by 1.29%, settling at 1,149.44. Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed 0.1% lower at 53,322.85, while the Topix saw an increase of 0.59%, finishing at 3,566.32. As of 2:50 p.m., India’s Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex experienced a decline of 0.3%. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong experienced a decline of more than 2%, concluding the trading day at 27,387.11, whereas the mainland CSI 300 fell by 1%, finishing at 4,706.34. HSBC, the largest bank in Hong Kong, experienced a disruption on Friday, preventing customers from accessing its mobile banking application. A representative from the bank indicated that services are progressively resuming normal operations. The bank’s shares concluded the trading session in Hong Kong with a decline of 0.5%.

Oil prices declined following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his intention to engage in dialogue with Iran, despite the United States deploying an additional warship to the Middle East. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that the military was prepared to respond to the president’s directives. Trump provided no specifics regarding the extent or schedule of any discussions, nor did he indicate who would be at the helm of these negotiations. Global benchmark Brent declined by 1.43% to $69.7 a barrel, whereas U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures experienced a decrease of 1.65%, settling at $64.33 per barrel. Futures associated with the S&P 500 experienced a decline of 0.16%, mirroring the performance of Nasdaq 100 futures. Dow futures declined by 112 points, representing a decrease of approximately 0.2%.

Trump endorsed a Senate agreement aimed at financing the bulk of the federal government for the rest of the fiscal year, thereby alleviating immediate political uncertainty for investors. Senators secured an agreement with slightly more than 24 hours remaining before a partial government shutdown. The decision was made to exclude funding for the Department of Homeland Security from the legislative package, allowing for the passage of the remaining five bills, with DHS to be financed through a temporary measure. Overnight in the U.S., the S&P 500 declined, weighed down by Microsoft, as traders responded to the megacap technology company’s latest earnings results and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision.

The broad market index experienced a decline of 0.13%, closing at 6,969.01, whereas the Nasdaq Composite fell by 0.72%, concluding at 23,685.12. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced by 0.11%, equating to an increase of 55.96 points, concluding the session at 49,071.56. In the realm of cryptocurrencies, bitcoin experienced a decline exceeding 5%, reaching its lowest point in nearly two months.