-- Asian stock markets wobbled lower Friday as traders assessed values after recent rallies, and weighed uncertain prospects for global oil prices and the Persian Gulf conflict.
Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo finished in the red, as did most other regional exchanges.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened lower and closed down 1.8% as traders booked profits after the index struck all-time highs on Thursday.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 1042.44 to 58,475.90, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 179 to 44.
Leading the upside was software testing company Shift, up 11.8%, while silicon wafer maker Sumco declined 10%.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened lower and could not recover, closing down 0.9% as traders warily eyed Middle East developments.
The broad gauge Hang Seng fell 233.93 to 26,160.33 as losing issues outnumbered gainers 72 to 16. The Hang Seng TECH Index lost 1% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index fell 0.5%.
Leading the upside was New Oriental Education & Technology, gaining 3%, while Wuxi AppTec declined 5.9%.
On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite fell 0.1% to 4,051.43.
On the other regional exchanges, the South Korean KOSPI fell 0.6%; the Taiwan TWSE declined 0.9%; the Australian ASX 200 declined 0.1%; the Singapore Straits Times Index fell 0.12%, and the Thai Set declined 0.5%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was up 0.67%
The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index fell 0.9% on the day.