Asia markets mixed as investors assess key Japan economic data releases

Asia-Pacific markets were mixed as investors assess key economic data out from Japan on Friday.

The world’s third largest economy saw its core inflation rate rise to 2.9% in October, higher than the 2.8% seen in September. The headline inflation rate for October came in at 3.3%, accelerating from the 3% seen in from the month before.

The country will also expect flash estimates for its November factory activity from the au Jibun bank.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed upon its return from a public holiday, gaining 0.96%, while the Topix advanced 0.7%.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.43%. South Korea’s Kospi slid marginally, but the small cap Kosdaq rose 0.13%.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index plunged 1.17% on its open, but the mainland Chinese CSI 300 benchmark index saw a smaller loss of 0.11%

U.S. markets were closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, but will come back for a half day of trading on Friday.

Futures tied to the three major indexes were all up marginally, with futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average 0.09% higher.

Meanwhile, S&P 500 futures climbed 0.08%, and the Nasdaq Composite futures gained 0.1%.