Asian share markets closed narrowly mixed on Friday, with investors again citing record oil prices as the main issue and the main excuse to take profits, dealers said.
After bucking the negative tone on Thursday, it was Hong Kong's turn to experience a dose of the oil jitters, dropping 0.60 percent as caution got the better of the market.
At the same time, Hong Kong stocks finished off their lows in strong turnover, which suggests that the underlying tone remains quite positive.
The Chinese markets did well, adding 1.86 percent as investors returned after the long National Day break, reassured perhaps by official comment during the holiday that efforts to cool the economy appeared to be working.
That line was taken to mean there was less chance of more drastic measures being needed, such as a much feared hike in interest rates.
Elsewhere, Australia snapped a four-day record run to finish down about 0.38 percent but confidence remains high given the country's strong economic fundamentals and there was little worry about the outcome of the federal elections Saturday.
Share prices in Taiwan closed flat in modest trade, having moved in a very narrow range over the session, dealers said.
The weighted index closed down 0.84 points at 6,102.16, off a low of 6,073.41 and a high of 6,115.93, on turnover of NT$94.75 billion (US$2.79 billion). Risers led decliners 335 to 303, with 174 stocks unchanged.
"The market was mired in rangebound trading throughout the day as local retail investors seemed to be on the sell side against continued buying by foreign investors," Yuanta Core Pacific Securities assistant vice president Oliver Fang said.
Japanese share prices closed little changed ahead of key US jobs data and a long weekend here, with sentiment cautious amid losses on Wall Street and record oil prices, dealers said.
The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikkei-225 index lost 5.24 points or 0.05 percent to 11,349.35. The market was up 3.3 percent for the week, however.
The broader TOPIX index of all First Section shares fell 1.78 points or 0.16 percent to 1,140.06. It rose 2.2 percent on the week.
South Korean share prices closed 0.45 percent lower on profit-taking by foreign investors following a weaker close on Wall Street, dealers said. The KOSPI index closed down 3.95 points at 881.38, off a low of 877.34. Volume was heavy at 451 million shares worth 3.2 trillion won (US$2.78 billion). Fallers led risers 373 to 333 with 95 stocks unchanged.
Hong Kong share prices closed 0.60 percent lower as news of a bombing outside the Indonesian embassy in Paris unnerved investors, dealers said.
The Hang Seng Index closed down 80.27 points at 13,241.46, off a low of 13,186.21 on turnover of HK$19.08 billion (US$2.4 billion).
The Hang Seng Chinese Enterprises Index lost 48.02 points or one percent at 4,770.79.
The Shanghai A-share Index rose 27.30 points to 1,492.49 on turnover of 9.29 billion yuan (US$1.12 billion) while the Shenzhen A-share Index was up 10.99 points or 2.97 percent at 380.87 on turnover of 6.27 billion yuan.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A- and B-shares, closed up 26.23 points or 1.88 percent at 1,422.93 on turnover of 9.39 billion yuan.
Australian share prices closed 0.38 percent lower on Friday amid profit-taking on the back of a record-breaking four-day rally and lingering uncertainty about the outcome of yesterday's national election, dealers said.
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