Stocks in Asia advanced on Friday following positive developments overnight on U.S.-Mexico negotiations, while investors digested recent comments from major central bank chiefs.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 110.67 points, or 0.5%, to close the week at 20,884.71, with shares of robot maker Fanuc gaining 1%.
The Japanese yen traded at 108.48 against the U.S. dollar after touching 108.31 earlier.
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.6973 U.S. after seeing an earlier low of $0.6965.
European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said Thursday it would delay its first post-crisis interest rate hike till at least the middle of next year.
Draghi’s comments come on the back of comments earlier this week from U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, who said Tuesday the central bank will “act as appropriate to sustain the expansion, ” opening the door to rate cuts.
Markets in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Taiwan were shuttered for holidays.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi index returned from holiday to acquired 3.22 points, or 0.2%, to close at 2,072.33
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index popped 20.11 points, or 0.6%, to 3,166.29
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 strengthened 60.82 points, or 0.6%, to 10,047.82
In Australia, the ASX 200 jumped 60.89 points, or 1%, to 6,443.89
