Losing for the sixth straight session, the Australian stock market is significantly lower on Friday, following the mixed cues from Wall Street overnight. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 is falling below the 7,600 level, with weakness across most sectors led by mining and energy stocks.

The Hong Kong stock market has moved higher in consecutive trading days, advancing almost 140 points or 0.9 percent along the way. The Hang Seng Index now sits just above the 16,380-point plateau although it's likely to open in the red on Friday.

The China stock market has moved higher in back-to-back sessions, collecting almost 70 points or 3.4 percent along the way. The Shanghai Composite Index now sits just beneath the 3,075-point plateau although investors may cash in on Friday.

The Taiwan stock market has moved higher in two straight sessions, advancing almost 400 points or 2 percent along the way. The Taiwan Stock Exchange now sits just above the 20,300-point plateau although it's expected to open under pressure on Friday.

The Singapore stock market has tracked higher in consecutive trading days, collecting more than 40 points or 1.3 percent along the way. The Straits Times Index now rests just beneath the 3,190-point plateau although the rally may stall on Friday.

Investors are keeping a close eye on gold as the conflict in the Middle East escalates with a possibility of a full-scale regional war in the area.

Euro Dollar up 0.4%, Dollar Yen down 0.2%, Gold Dollar drops 0.8%. Nike gains 0.2%. Dollar strong, impacting Yen. US stocks volatile on Fed concerns, Europe steady. Key events: US jobless claims, Australia employment, Eurozone meeting, Japan industry index, Australia unemployment rate.

The British pound sterling is showing signs of recovery, bouncing back from a five-month low, with GBP/USD stabilising around the 1.2470 mark on Thursday.

Euro edges higher despite continued hawkish commentary from Fed officials; Geopolitical developments cast doubt on ECB June rate cut; Yen fails to make considerable gains as market looks to Friday’s CPI data

Oil prices experienced a significant drop in the last session that was influenced by an accelerating build-up in U.S. crude inventories and concerns about oil demand.