Stock market today: Asian markets retreat after data dash hopes that a US rate cut is imminent

BEIJING (AP) — Asian markets retreated Friday, with Hong Kong's benchmark falling nearly 2%, after a mixed batch of data on the U.S. economy dashed hopes that easier interest rates are coming soon. Oil prices and U.S. futures fell. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 declined 0.3% to 38,707.64, while the Kospi in South Korea sank 1.9% to 2,666.84. Advertisement Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was down 1.7% at 16,676.70 after reports said housing prices have continued to fall since February. Advertisement The Shanghai Composite index gained 0.3% to 3,055.16, while the S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.9% to 7,670.30. Advertisement On Thursday, U.S. stocks slipped,…