Investing.com - Asian stock markets were mixed on Friday, as markets were jittery ahead of a highly anticipated U.S. jobs report later in the day, while recent signs of economic recovery in China continued to support.
During late Asian trade, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index dipped 0.04%, Australia’s ASX/200 Index jumped 0.94%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index slipped 0.19%.
Sentiment found some support after U.S. President Barack Obama said earlier in the week that a deal to avert the so-called fiscal cliff of year-end tax hikes and spending cuts was possible in "about a week" if Republicans compromise on taxes.
Meanwhile, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi on Thursday said the bank now expects the euro zone economy to contract by between 0.4% and 0.6% this year and to shrink by 0.3% to 0.9% in 2013. The ECB expects the euro zone economy to return to growth only in 2014, expanding between 0.2% and 2.2%.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei edged lower as investors locked in gains ahead of the U.S. employment report.
Auto makers continued to trend higher, as Nissan Motor added 0.13%, while Toyota Motor and Honda Motor advanced 0.46% and 0.62% respectively.
Meanwhile, Sharp surged 8.54% on short covering after Hon Hai Precision Industry's chairman said Qualcomm's tie-up will not affect Hon Hai's position to become Sharp's biggest shareholder.
Shares in Hong Kong dipped although optimism over the perspective for China's economic growth supported sentiment.
Cement producers China National Building Materials and Anhui Conch were among the top gainers, with shares rallying 4.73% and 4.38%.
Prada added to gains, with shares soaring 7.91% after reporting a 30% rise in third-quarter net profit, as wealthy tourists and overseas growth lifted holiday sales.
Elsewhere, Australian shares trended sharply higher, after data showed that Australia's trade deficit expanded more-than-expected in October.
Mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton climbed 0.42% and 0.96% respectively, while gold miner Newcrest jumped 1%.
Retailers were also on the upside ahead of the Christmas season, led by department store David Jones, up 2.03%, while Wesfarmers, owner of supermarket chain Coles, advanced 1.05%.
Looking ahead, European stock futures pointed to a lower open, weighed by Mario Draghi's downbeat comments.
The EURO STOXX 50 futures pointed to a 0.31% fall, France’s CAC 40 futures slipped 0.28%, London’s FTSE 100 futures edged 0.17% lower, while Germany's DAX futures pointed to a 0.23% loss.
Later in the day, ECB President Draghi was to speak at an event in Budapest.
The U.S. was to produce official data on nonfarm payrolls, as well as data on the overall unemployment rate. In addition, the University of Michigan was to release preliminary data on consumer sentiment.
During late Asian trade, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index dipped 0.04%, Australia’s ASX/200 Index jumped 0.94%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index slipped 0.19%.
Sentiment found some support after U.S. President Barack Obama said earlier in the week that a deal to avert the so-called fiscal cliff of year-end tax hikes and spending cuts was possible in "about a week" if Republicans compromise on taxes.
Meanwhile, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi on Thursday said the bank now expects the euro zone economy to contract by between 0.4% and 0.6% this year and to shrink by 0.3% to 0.9% in 2013. The ECB expects the euro zone economy to return to growth only in 2014, expanding between 0.2% and 2.2%.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei edged lower as investors locked in gains ahead of the U.S. employment report.
Auto makers continued to trend higher, as Nissan Motor added 0.13%, while Toyota Motor and Honda Motor advanced 0.46% and 0.62% respectively.
Meanwhile, Sharp surged 8.54% on short covering after Hon Hai Precision Industry's chairman said Qualcomm's tie-up will not affect Hon Hai's position to become Sharp's biggest shareholder.
Shares in Hong Kong dipped although optimism over the perspective for China's economic growth supported sentiment.
Cement producers China National Building Materials and Anhui Conch were among the top gainers, with shares rallying 4.73% and 4.38%.
Prada added to gains, with shares soaring 7.91% after reporting a 30% rise in third-quarter net profit, as wealthy tourists and overseas growth lifted holiday sales.
Elsewhere, Australian shares trended sharply higher, after data showed that Australia's trade deficit expanded more-than-expected in October.
Mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton climbed 0.42% and 0.96% respectively, while gold miner Newcrest jumped 1%.
Retailers were also on the upside ahead of the Christmas season, led by department store David Jones, up 2.03%, while Wesfarmers, owner of supermarket chain Coles, advanced 1.05%.
Looking ahead, European stock futures pointed to a lower open, weighed by Mario Draghi's downbeat comments.
The EURO STOXX 50 futures pointed to a 0.31% fall, France’s CAC 40 futures slipped 0.28%, London’s FTSE 100 futures edged 0.17% lower, while Germany's DAX futures pointed to a 0.23% loss.
Later in the day, ECB President Draghi was to speak at an event in Budapest.
The U.S. was to produce official data on nonfarm payrolls, as well as data on the overall unemployment rate. In addition, the University of Michigan was to release preliminary data on consumer sentiment.