Asian stocks slip, bonds rally as Brexit vote looms

A woman clad in a kimono is reflected in an electronic board displaying Japan's Nikkei share average outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan, April 18, 2016.

ASIA: Asian shares pulled back on Friday as investors sought refuge in safe-haven assets amid festering concerns over the June 23 referendum that could see Britain exit the European Union.

European markets also look set to follow suit, with financial spreadbetters expecting Britain's FTSE 100 and France's CAC 40 to open about 0.2 percent lower, and Germany's DAX to start the day down 0.1 percent.