Asia-Pacific markets were largely range bound on Friday ahead of the Bank of Japan’s rate decision.
Economists polled by Reuters expect the BOJ will maintain its benchmark interest rate at 0%-0.1%, but Nikkei reported the central bank is considering reducing its holdings of Japanese government bonds.
The BOJ currently aims to purchase about 6 trillion yen ($38.5 billion) in bonds per month, and has informed the market of plans to purchase between 4.8 trillion yen and 7 trillion yen of bonds per month.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down 0.09% at the open, while the Topix was marginally below the flatline.
South Korea’s Kospi was up 0.14%, the only benchmark in positive territory. The small cap Kosdaq was 0.36% lower.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.17%.
Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 17,964, lower than the HSI’s last close of 18,112.63.
Overnight in the U.S., the S&P 500 rose to post a fourth consecutive record close as traders weighed more data showing inflation pressures may be easing.
The broad market index climbed 0.23% to end at 5,433.74, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.34% and closed at 17,667.56. Thursday marked the fourth straight closing record for both S&P 500 and the Nasdaq.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was the underperformer, slipping 0.17%.
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record levels this week, boosted by fresh data showing signs of inflation pressures cooling.
—CNBC’s Lisa Kailai Han and Sarah Min contributed to this report.
By CNBC