Asian stock markets were a 'sea of red' on Friday after US president Donald Trump doubled down on his warning to North Korea and investors stepped up their flight to safe-haven assets. Gold, the Japanese yen and Swiss franc continued to outperform.

• • Asian equity markets a 'sea of red' on escalating fears of US conflict with N.Korea
• • S.Korea's Kospi and Hong Kong's Hang Seng heaviest hit among Asian bourses
• • Safe haven assets, such as gold, JPY and CHF continued to outperform: Bresler
• • Volatility back into the market: Garnry
• • VIX volatility index jumps to highest since May, 22 is an inflection point: Garnry
• • Nasdaq 100 plunged 2.4%, below 50-day MA, worst day since Brexit vote: Garnry
• • Snap shares plummeted after results missed estimates
• • Gold approaching key test at $1,295/oz: Hansen
• • Break of resistance for gold would trigger catch-up buying from funds
• • WTI crude oil stuck in $47.50-50.50/b range after sliding from a two-week low 
• • Grains slid on bearish WASDE surprise