Investing.com - APAC markets were trading mixed on Friday, even as large tech stocks on Wall Street declined.
S&P/ASX 200 added 0.9%, while the KOSPI 200 and Nikkei 225 fell 1.2% and 1.9%, respectively.
In contrast, major U.S. stock indexes showed mixed results with the Dow Jones Industrial Average making a slight increase of 0.1%, while the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ Composite fell by 0.9% and 2.0%, respectively.
The bond market responded immediately to the new inflation data, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note dropping to 4.192%.
The market showed signs of a shift in leadership, with small-cap stocks rallying across the market and large-cap stocks like home builders D.R. Horton and Lennar (NYSE:LEN) making gains. This rotation away from a handful of tech stocks is seen as a positive sign by some investors, as it reduces the market's vulnerability.
The market shift was triggered by data indicating U.S. inflation eased in June. This, along with Fed Chair Jerome Powell's comments about a cooling labor market, has bolstered investors' belief that the Fed will lower rates at its September meeting.
Investors are now looking forward to the upcoming earnings season, which begins with reports from JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE:JPM), Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC), and Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C).
In commodity markets, Brent crude oil and gold saw increases of 0.54% and 1.86%, respectively. The Australian dollar also rose slightly from its previous close, standing at 67.57 US cents.
Chinese stocks ended on a high note, fueled by positive sentiment following the China Securities Regulatory Commission's decision to tighten controls on short selling and quantitative trading. Consumer services and software stocks led the gains. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index closed 1.1% higher.
In Hong Kong, shares were lifted by technology and auto stocks, with major tech companies like Xiaomi and Tencent making notable gains. The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 2.1%.
Japan's Nikkei Stock Average closed at a record high, driven by broad-based gains. The index has been performing exceptionally well recently, with strength in the technology sector playing a significant role.
Indian shares remained fairly unchanged as gains in bank stocks balanced out losses in the manufacturing sector. All eyes are on the U.S. June CPI and initial jobless claims data, which are expected to influence the market's direction.
European stocks also experienced a rise, with the U.K.'s FTSE 100 Index increasing by 0.4%. Other European indexes like the STOXX Europe 600 Index, Germany's DAX, and France's CAC 40 also reported gains.