Asia opens mostly lower

Asian stock indices opened the last session of the week mixed on growth concerns after US data showed a tumble in retail sales. 

In an expected step, President Donald Trump is reportedly considering an extension to the negotiation period with China on trade for another 60 days. 

Beijing and Washington reached a 90-day truce last year to reach an agreement and avoid tariff hikes. 

The current truce is scheduled to end on March 2, with no deal still in sight. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to meet the US delegation tomorrow to discuss a possible trade agreement. 

Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.20%, or 253.44 points to 20,886.27. 

China's CSI 300 shed 0.92%, or 31.25 points to 3,370.89, while the Shanghai index shed 0.10% to 2,701.00. 

Hond Kong's Hang Seng fell 1.53% to 27,998.16, while South Korea's KOSPI tumbled 1.47% to 2,193.05. 

New Zealand's NZX 50 shed 0.37%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 299 rose 0.06% to 6,063.10.