Asian markets fell Friday, hurt by resource-related shares stung by oil's 10% decline this week and by weaker-than-expected results from Merrill Lynch, which deflated hopes for a recovery in the financial sector.

Asian markets rebounded but were off their highs Thursday, boosted by Wall Street's rally Wednesday and a decline in oil prices, providing some relief from fears about the global credit crisis spiraling out of control. Japan closed 1% higher.

Asian markets seesawed Wednesday with investors uncertain about global growth prospects, the state of the financial sector and volatile oil prices. Japan finished flat, South Korea fell but Australia gained over 1%.

Asian markets tumbled Tuesday with Japan and Australia losing 2% and South Korea tumbling 3%. Investor confidence waned in the region's financial sector, which faces high inflation, a stricter lending environment and massive volatility from overseas markets.

Asian markets were mostly weaker Monday after Washington unveiled an emergency plan to rescue the top U.S. mortgage finance companies, offering to buy shares if necessary. Japan and South Korea both closed slightly lower.

Most Asian markets made a sharp turn into positive territory after the New York Times reported that the U.S. government is considering taking over the two top U.S. mortgage finance companies.

Asian stocks were mixed Thursday with South Korea finishing over 1% higher in a volatile session which saw markets seesawing between negative and positive territory.

Asian markets pared back gains Wednesday, on news that Iran has test-fired missiles. The report, which came in the afternoon, prompted many investors to lock in profits, sending South Korea down almost 1% and taking back most of the Nikkei's earlier gains.

Asian markets took a beating Tuesday, weighed by the financial sector after sharp declines in shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the U.S. on funding concerns reminded investors about the fragility of global credit markets.

Asian markets ended mixed Monday, with Sydney down 1.6 percent while Shanghai jumped 4.6 percent. However, sentiment remained weak after credit concerns pushed European indexes lower. The market lacked direction overall as investors waited for the U.S. to reopen after the Independence Day long holiday weekend.

Asian markets painted a mixed picture Friday, with exporters moving higher on a stronger U.S. dollar while record high oil prices weighed on oil distributors and airliners. Trade was cautious with U.S. markets closed for the Independence Day holiday.

Asian markets pared back losses, but were still closed in the red Thursday. Oil set fresh record highs and fears that stagflation will continue to hurt earnings and consumer spending dogged investors.

Most Asian markets stayed firmly in negative territory Wednesday, led by Seoul's 2.5 percent slide as persistently high oil prices and their impact on economies remained the key theme keeping investors worried.

Asian markets were weaker Tuesday as investors continued to fret about the economic impact of high oil prices. Japan, South Korea and Australia all finished lower.

Asian markets were mostly lower Monday, with Japan and Australia both closing down. Skyrocketing oil prices remained the key theme as investors worried over the impact of record oil prices on the health of the global economy.