Asian stocks performed mixed on Friday as heightened tensions in the Middle East led to Wall Street falls and higher petroleum prices. Japan's Nikkei 225 increased by 0.3 per cent to 38,668.36, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 decreased by 0.7 per cent to 8,145.70. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.6 per cent to 2,577.51, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng climbed 1.6 per cent to 22,473.56. Trading in Shanghai was halted, reported the Associated Press. 

In currency markets, the US dollar fell to 146.52 Japanese yen from 146.83, while the euro held firm at USD 1.1034.