Asia-Pacific markets drifted higher Friday, taking cues from Wall Street where U.S. stocks climbed to record highs overnight.
The Nikkei 225 ended the week with a bang, gaining 506.19 points, or 1.7%, to 29,717.83.
The Japanese yen changed hands at 108.98 per U.S. dollar, weakening from around 108.48.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng stumbled, losing 645.89 points, or 2.2%, to 28,739.72.
Korean markets moved higher as tech shares gained: Samsung Electronics was up 1%, SK Hynix rose 2.2% and LG Electronics added 3.4%.
Australian markets were stronger, as most sectors finished higher. Energy added 1.5%, and the materials sub-index gained 1.6%, as shares of oil stocks and major miners mostly advanced.
The Australian dollar fell 0.44% to $0.7753.
In other markets
In China, the CSI 300 added 18.16 points, or 0.4%, to 5,146.38.
In Taiwan, the Taiex hiked 75.62 points, or 0.5%, to 16,255.18.
In Korea, the Kospi index advanced 40.69 points, or 1.4%, to 3,054.39.
In Singapore, the Straits Times index faded 10.79 points, or 0.4%, to 3,054.39.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 jumped 154.29 points, or 1.3%, to 12,426.77.
In Australia, the ASX 200 moved higher 52.89 points, or 0.8% to 6,766.81.
