Asian stocks fall as concern over Middle East spurs selling

Nikkei and KOSPI down by 3%; yen strengthens, other currencies weaken

20240419 market image

Tokyo stocks lost 3.4% at one point in morning trading on April 19 as other Asian bourses also declined.

AKANE OKUTSU and LISA KIM, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei Stock Average on Friday morning fell as much as 1,346.7 yen, or 3.5%, from the previous day's close as market players reacted to reports of Israel striking Iran with missiles.

Nikkei stock average closed at 37,068.35 yen, down 2.66% from the previous day. South Korea's benchmark KOSPI closed down 1.6%, after falling as much as 3.1% in midday trading. Samsung Electronics dropped 2.5%, while SK Hynix plunged 4.9%.

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