Stocks in Asia rose on Friday ahead of the release of the U.S. jobs report for April, expected later in the day stateside.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 soared 504.32 points, or 2.6%, to 20,179.09, as shares of index heavyweights Fast Retailing and Softbank Group each rose more than 3%
The Japanese yen traded at 106.35 per U.S. dollar after strengthening from levels around 107 seen earlier in the trading week.
The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong regained 249.54 points, or 1%, to 24,230.17.
Australian markets were back in the green. The Reserve Bank of Australia on Friday released its statement on monetary policy, where it highlighted that global Gross Domestic Product is “expected to fall sharply in the first half of 2020.”
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.6527 after rising sharply from levels below $0.642 yesterday.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 restocked 38.73 points, or 1%, to 3,963.62.
In Korea, the Kospi added 17.21 points, or 0.9%, to 1,945.82
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index returned from holiday to inch up 0.28 points to 2,591.88
In Taiwan, the Taiex index perked 58.5 points, or 0.5%, to 10,901.42.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 jumped 46.36 points, or 0.4%, to 10,695.59.
In Australia, the ASX 200 returned to positive country, tacking on 26.88 points, or 0.5%, to 5,391.08.
