Asia-Pacific Markets Mostly Lower Amid Trade and Inflation Focus

Investors in the Asia-Pacific region turned their attention to recent trade developments and inflation data, leading to mostly lower trading sessions. Japan's Nikkei 225, after reaching new highs due to a trade deal between the United States and Japan, saw a decline. Meanwhile, Japan's inflation figures for July showed a slight decrease, adding to the market's cautious stance.

Market Movements Across the Region

By early Friday, Japan's Nikkei had dropped by 0.90%, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng closely following at a 0.92% dip. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 wasn't far behind, decreasing by 0.46%. In contrast, South Korea's Kospi experienced a modest rise of 0.22%, fueled by optimism from trade discussions between South Korean and US officials.

China's Markets and Currency Stability

Mainland China also felt the pressure, with the Shenzhen Composite and Shanghai Composite slipping by 0.13% and 0.30%, respectively. The dollar remained stable against the yen, trading at ¥147.1195, indicating a moment of calm in the currency markets amidst the regional stock fluctuations.