HONG KONG (AFP) - Asian markets were mostly higher Friday as
traders awaited the release of US jobs data, while Tokyo took a hit as
the dollar fell a day after breaking through the 100-yen level.
The gains came after another positive lead from Wall Street, with economists expecting a healthy rise in employment will give the US Federal Reserve another reason to begin winding down its huge stimulus programme.
But Tokyo tumbled 1.45 percent, or 204.01 points, to 13,860.81, with speculation that the capital would fail in its bid to host the 2020 Olympic Games adding to downward pressure.
Hong Kong rose 0.10 percent, or 23.25 points, to 22,621.22 and Shanghai climbed 0.83 percent, adding 17.56 points to 2,139.99.
Sydney was flat, edging up 2.5 points to end at 5,145 and Seoul finished 0.19 percent, or 3.66 points, up at 1,955.31.
Profit-taking also capped buying at the end of a strong week for global markets fuelled by healthy manufacturing data from China, Europe and the United States.
Analysts say Friday's US non-farm payrolls data will likely play a big role in the Fed's next move.
While a strong figure would provide more evidence the world's top economy is on the road to recovery, it would also signal the beginning of the end of the Fed's year-old bond-buying scheme, which has fuelled an investment drive in emerging economies.
Developing nations that benefited from the US central bank's largesse -- which led to record low interest rates at home -- have seen their stock markets and currencies plummet in recent weeks as foreigners repatriate their cash.
"Tonight's jobs report is highly crucial in helping the US Federal Reserve decide whether to taper stimulus or not at (its next policy meeting) later this month," said Tim Radford, global analyst at trading firm Rivkin.
"The lack of direction in US markets overnight highlighted the cautious nature of investors... with lingering concerns over Syria lurking in the background also weighing," he told Dow Jones Newswires.
The Dow edged up 0.04 percent, the S&P 500 gained 0.12 percent and the Nasdaq put on 0.27 percent.
Mumbai rose 1.53 percent, or 290.30 points, to 19,270.06.
Private bank ICICI rose 7.37 percent to 959.0 rupees while state-run oil explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) rose 7.17 percent to 289.15 rupees, on hopes of a hike in diesel prices.
The gains came after another positive lead from Wall Street, with economists expecting a healthy rise in employment will give the US Federal Reserve another reason to begin winding down its huge stimulus programme.
But Tokyo tumbled 1.45 percent, or 204.01 points, to 13,860.81, with speculation that the capital would fail in its bid to host the 2020 Olympic Games adding to downward pressure.
Hong Kong rose 0.10 percent, or 23.25 points, to 22,621.22 and Shanghai climbed 0.83 percent, adding 17.56 points to 2,139.99.
Sydney was flat, edging up 2.5 points to end at 5,145 and Seoul finished 0.19 percent, or 3.66 points, up at 1,955.31.
Profit-taking also capped buying at the end of a strong week for global markets fuelled by healthy manufacturing data from China, Europe and the United States.
Analysts say Friday's US non-farm payrolls data will likely play a big role in the Fed's next move.
While a strong figure would provide more evidence the world's top economy is on the road to recovery, it would also signal the beginning of the end of the Fed's year-old bond-buying scheme, which has fuelled an investment drive in emerging economies.
Developing nations that benefited from the US central bank's largesse -- which led to record low interest rates at home -- have seen their stock markets and currencies plummet in recent weeks as foreigners repatriate their cash.
"Tonight's jobs report is highly crucial in helping the US Federal Reserve decide whether to taper stimulus or not at (its next policy meeting) later this month," said Tim Radford, global analyst at trading firm Rivkin.
"The lack of direction in US markets overnight highlighted the cautious nature of investors... with lingering concerns over Syria lurking in the background also weighing," he told Dow Jones Newswires.
The Dow edged up 0.04 percent, the S&P 500 gained 0.12 percent and the Nasdaq put on 0.27 percent.
Mumbai rose 1.53 percent, or 290.30 points, to 19,270.06.
Private bank ICICI rose 7.37 percent to 959.0 rupees while state-run oil explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) rose 7.17 percent to 289.15 rupees, on hopes of a hike in diesel prices.
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