Asian shares slid from a 5 1/2-month high on Friday as disappointing earnings from U.S. blue chip companies looked set to pour cold water on the rally that took off in March.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dropped 0.4 percent, a day after it hit its highest level since early November. Japan's Nikkei fell 0.8 percent from 2 2/1-month high.
US equities lost ground on Thursday amid several disappointing corporate earnings results. The DJIA dropped 0.63%, the S&P 500 gave up 0.52% and the NASDAQ inched down 0.05%
In Europe, stock markets were mixed following the latest ECB interest rate decision. The central bank left interest rates and the current stimulus program unchanged, however it earmarked June for its purchasing of corporate bonds.
The inflation objective is still the key with President Mario Draghi once again saying the bank will use "all instruments available" to achieve its objectives.
The DAX closed up 0.14%, the CAC 40 dropped 0.20% and in the UK the FTSE 100 fell 0.45%.
Commodities and EM currencies had another volatile session with iron ore up 8.8% whilst June WTI crude lost 1.6%.
Reference: Reuters, MKS Group
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