Asia Stocks Mixed Ahead of U.S. Jobs Data; Hong Kong Drops 3%

Asian stocks were mixed on Friday as investors awaited U.S. jobs data, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng falling 3% to an 11-week low amid rising bond yields and oil prices. Japan's Nikkei fell 0.9%, while South Korea and Australia gained. Tokyo core inflation accelerated to 2.7% in September, exceeding forecasts, and the focus remains on U.S. nonfarm payrolls due later.