Asian Stocks Down, Global Bonds Rally As Brexit Vote Looms

Asian shares stepped back on Friday while investors poured funds into safe-haven assets amid festering concerns about a UK referendum that could push Britain out of the European Union.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dipped 0.2 percent while Japan's Nikkei declined0.4 percent.

Wall Street shares also pulled back on Thursday after three days of gains, with the S&P 500 losing 0.17 percent to finish at 2,115.48, still only about 15 points below its record closing high.