Asian Markets Edged Down on Inflation and Omicron Concerns

Asian markets are in the red on Friday after action by major central banks globally underscored growing concerns of inflation and traders maintaining cautious mood amid no clear assessment of potential impact of Omicron variant yet to be determined.

The KOSPI, Japanese TOPIX, CSI300, HSI and SET inched down by 0.15 %, 1.34%, 1.31%, 1.21% and 0.37% respectively.

Earlier Bank of Japan announced ultra-loose monetary policy maintaining short term target rate at -0.1% and also decided to scale back its emergency fund relief when it expires in March 2022.