India, July 31 -- Asian stocks ended mostly lower on Friday after data showed a record contraction in U.S. economic activity in the second quarter.

Coronavirus fears and the possibility of a delayed November election in the U.S. also weighed on the markets, while better than expected quarterly earnings results from tech giants such as Apple, Amazon, Alphabet and Facebook as well as upbeat data from China and Japan helped ease worries about a global economic recovery.

Chinese shares advanced amid signs the economy continues its steady recovery from the coronavirus slump. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 23.18 points, or 0.7 percent, to finish at 3,310.01, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index ended down 0.5 percent at 24,595.35....