Asian markets mixed after modest gains on Wall St

Asian markets are mixed after major indexes edged higher on Wall Street, preserving their gains for the week

BANGKOK -- Asian markets were mixed on Friday after major indexes edged higher on Wall Street, preserving their gains for the week. Hong Kong and Shanghai fell while Sydney and Seoul advanced. Tokyo was closed for a holiday. Surges in coronavirus cases around the region are prompting governments to tighten pandemic restrictions that are expected to slow business activity and keep travel to a minimum. Thailand reported a daily record of 14,575 cases, with 114 deaths, as a stricter set of limits went into effect in many areas. The central bank, meanwhile, has said this latest, worst outbreak could cause the economy to contract by 2% this year, instead of the recovery it had earlier forecast.