Asian shares slip, dragged lower by Wall Street tech fall

Asian shares are mostly lower, dragged down by a decline in technology stocks on Wall Street

TOKYO -- Asian shares mostly slipped Friday, dragged lower by a decline in technology stocks on Wall Street. Benchmarks fell in Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai and Hong Kong but rose in Sydney. Traders are awaiting the U.S. government’s latest monthly jobs report, expected later Friday. Unemployment data announced Thursday was encouraging. But while an improved jobs market suggests the economy is gaining momentum after the pandemic, investors are keeping a close eye on signs of inflation, which especially hurts the tech sector. The benchmark S&P 500 index dropped 0.4% on Thursday and is on track for a 0.3% weekly loss.