(Updates with closing prices) By Kevin Buckland TOKYO, May 24 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average sank on Friday, tracking declines on Wall Street after robust U.S. economic data stoked bets that stubborn inflation may delay Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. The Nikkei sagged 1.17% to 38,646.11 as of the close, and had earlier dipped as much as 1.9%. The...

JOHANNESBURG, May 24 (Reuters) - The following scheduled economic event, equity and currency market moves may affect South African markets on Friday. ECONOMIC EVENTS South Africa's government to hold its weekly auction of inflation-linked bonds. SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS The South African rand weakened on Thursday, after Federal Reserve meeting minutes released on Wednesday hinted that interest rates will remain higher...

MOSCOW, May 24 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble slightly strengthened against the U.S. dollar on Friday. By 0715 GMT, the rouble was 0.16% higher at 89.87 to the dollar after trading in a range of 89.810 to 90.770. Against the euro, the rouble rose 0.35% to 97.28 and gained 0.36% to 12.35 against the yuan . Brent crude oil, a...

* Chinese shares close around 1% lower, HK down as well * EM stocks down 0.7%, set for weekly losses By Shashwat Chauhan May 24 (Reuters) - Most emerging market currencies were on track for weekly losses on Friday as ebbing expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts supported the dollar, while developing world stocks were set for their first...