Stocks in Asia Pacific were mostly higher on Thursday ahead of the release of the U.S. unemployment claims report.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index docked 7.47 points to 19,345.77.
The Japanese yen traded at 108.92 per U.S. dollar after weakening from levels below 108.8 yesterday.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index regained 329.96 points, or 1.4%, to 24,300.33.
In Korea, markets improved, as shares of automaker Hyundai Motor soared 7.9%. The Bank of Korea on Thursday kept its benchmark interest unchanged at 0.75%. That was largely in line with expectations of most analysts.
On the economic data front, the U.S. unemployment claims report for the week ended April 4 is set to be out at 8:30 a.m. ET Thursday, with more than five million expected to have filed for unemployment last week as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
Shares in Australia led gains among the region’s major markets, as shares of major banks such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac rose more than 3% each.
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.6233 after touching an earlier low of $0.6193.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 regained 12.47 points, or 0.3%, to 3,792.81
In Korea, the Kospi index restocked 29.07 points, or 1.6%, to 1,836.21.
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index dropped 18.04 points, or 0.2%, to 10,119.43.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index added 31.88 points, or 1.3%, to 2,571.32.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 dipped 67.76 points, or 0.7%, to 9,963.60
In Australia, the ASX 200 raced ahead 180.37 points, or 3.5%, to 5,387.32
