THE Straits Times Index (STI) closed at 3,176.51 points on Friday (Apr 19), down 11.15 points or 0.4 per cent, following news that Israel had retaliated against Iran’s aggression. Decliners beat advancers 372 to 244.

Asian indices were mostly in negative territory by the end of trading on Friday. Taiwan’s TSEC Weighted Index was at the bottom of the pile, ending down 3.8 per cent. Not far behind was Japan’s Nikkei 225, down 2.7 per cent. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI bucked the trend, however, and was up 0.2 per cent.

The sell-off follows two consecutive days of moderately positive sentiment in Asian markets, as investors appeared to have adequately priced in a delay in the lowering of the United States Federal funds rate as well as an escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

Reports that Israel has attacked Iran may have reignited some war worries, though. “If the situation in the Middle East escalates further, it could continue to weigh on global and regional markets,” said Vasu Menon, managing director, investment strategy, at OCBC.

“In the short term, investors will have to brace for more volatility and possible more downside for markets depending on how developments in the Middle East play out.”

Early indications after reports of explosions in Isfahan were that Iran was downplaying the Israeli action.

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Friday’s activity put the STI down 1.3 per cent for the week, the third consecutive week of decline. The biggest loser for the week was DFI Retail Group Holdings : D01 0%, down 11.5 per cent; the biggest winner, meanwhile, was UOB : U11 0%, up 1.2 per cent.