Most Asian stocks closed higher on Friday, with positive sentiment partially driven by gains seen on Wall Street following softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data. Meanwhile, oil prices were slightly lower after reaching recent multi-year highs on geopolitical concerns.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 261.3 points, or 1.1%, to 22,758.48. Against the yen, the U.S. dollar traded at 109.31.
Gains were broad based as investors focused on robust earnings releases in Japan, with the technology and financial sectors advancing
Suzuki Motor popped 9% after the automaker announced expectation-topping full-year operating profit on Thursday. Suzuki forecasts full-year operating income in the year ending March 2019 to come in at 340 billion yen ($3.11 billion U.S.).
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index jumped 312.84 points, or 1%, to 31,122.06, with the index on track for its fifth straight day of gains. All sectors on the index traded higher, with gains led by financials and conglomerates. CK Hutchison Holdings stock was up 1.2% a day after billionaire Li Ka-shing handed down the chairman position to his son Victor Li.
Korean markets gained momentum, aided by the move higher in tech and auto sector stocks, although Samsung Electronics shed 0.6%
Australian markets closed slightly downward, as the financials and energy sub-indexes weighed. Major miners, however, ended the day higher.
In corporate news, Australia's AMP fell 5.8%, underperforming other Australian bank shares. Its stock was downgraded to neutral from outperform by Macquarie Equities.
U.S. President Trump on Thursday said his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is set to take place in Singapore on June 12. The meeting comes on the back of easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with Kim having met South Korean leader Moon Jae-in in April.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 erased 20.22 points, or 0.5%, to 3,872.84
In Korea, the Kospi index tacked on 13.55 points, or 0.6%, to 2,477.71
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index regrouped 32.58 points, or 0.9%, to 3,570.17
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index added 98.77 points, or 0.9%, to 10,858.98
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 moved forward 38.79 points, or 0.5%, to 8,676.69
In Australia, the ASX 200 subtracted 2.56 points to 6,116.19
