Asian shares closed mixed on Friday, with Australia climbing while other major markets in the region turned in more measured performances as investors focused on trade headlines and upcoming economic events.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 recouped 125.88 points, or 0.6%, to 22,712.75.
Gains were seen in most sectors, but the securities brokerages sector dropped 3.3%, with Nomura falling 5.8% after it reported net profit in the quarter ending in June fell to 5.2 billion yen ($46.8 million U.S.), compared to 56.9 billion yen one year ago.
The Bank of Japan's meeting next week is expected to be a focus point for investors.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng regained 23.14 points, or 0.1%, to 28,804.28
Australian stocks closed at their highest levels in a decade, with the day's gains led by the energy sub-index.
In individual movers, shares of BHP were up 2.3% in Australia after the company announced it will be selling its its U.S. assets for $10.8 billion. BHP said it was expecting a charge of around $2.8 billion post-tax in financial year 2018.
Elsewhere, Singapore Airlines dropped 5.3% after the company reported net profit came in at 140 million Singapore dollars ($102.8 million U.S) for the quarter just ended, below the S$337.9 million figure one year ago.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 dropped 15.02 points, or 0.4%, to 3,521.23
A lack of certainty on progress was also likely to remain when it came to U.S.-China trade relations.
Trade negotiations between the world's two largest economies had not yet been restarted, according to Chinese Commerce Ministry Spokesman Gao Feng on Thursday.
In other markets
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index inched down 3.62 points, or 0.1%, to 3,324.98
In Taiwan, the Taiex index gained 65.17 points, or 0.6%, to 11,075.78
In Korea, the Kospi index progressed 5.93 points, or 0.3%, to 2,294.99
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 recovered 63.67 points, or 0.7%, to 8,996.16
In Australia, the ASX 200 picked up 55.73 points, or 0.9%, to 6,300.23
