The Thai stock market has finished lower in back-to-back sessions, surrendering more than 40 points or 3.1 percent along the way. The Stock Exchange of Thailand now rests just beneath the 1,260-point plateau although it may find traction on Friday.

Indian shares may open higher on Friday, mirroring positive global cues after several U.S. companies posted better-than-expected earnings overnight and the Bank of England kept the door open for more stimulus next month.

Asian stock markets are higher on Friday following the positive cues overnight from Wall Street on upbeat corporate earnings results and continued optimism about easing COVID-19 restrictions. A continued decrease in the number of new jobless claims in the U.S. also boosted sentiment. Investors now look ahead to the release of the U.S. jobs data for April later today.

Indian shares opened on an upbeat note Friday, tracking Wall Street gains as a

Asian stocks moved mostly higher on Friday as trade-war fears receded and investors awaited the latest U.S. jobs report to gauge the economic impact of the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

Positive global cues helped Indian shares push higher on Friday, though markets ended off their day's highs after Moody's Investors Service revised downward its growth projection for India to 0 percent for FY21 and cautioned that the country's sovereign rating could be downgraded if its fiscal metrics weaken materially.

The China stock market had climbed higher in three straight sessions, collecting almost 70 points or 2.5 percent in that span. The Shanghai Composite Index now rests just beneath the 2,880-point plateau although investors may cash in on Thursday.

The Hong Kong stock market has moved higher in back-to-back sessions, advancing more than 520 points or 2.2 percent along the way. The Hang Seng Index now sits just beneath the 24,140-point plateau although it may run out of steam on Thursday.

The Australian stock market is modestly lower on Thursday, extending losses from the previous session following the mixed cues overnight from Wall Street and the fall in commodity prices. Data showing that Australia's services sector continued to struggle in April due to pandemic-related closures and restricted activity also dampened sentiment.

Ahead of Wednesday's holiday for Wisakha Bucha Day, the Thai stock market had snapped the four-day winning streak in which it had accelerated almost 45 points or 3.4 percent. The Stock Exchange of Thailand now rests just beneath the 1,280-point plateau and it may extend its losses on Thursday.

The Japanese stock market, which resumed trading on Thursday after a three-day holiday, is modestly lower following the lackluster cues overnight from Wall Street after a report showed that U.S. private sector employment nosedived in the month of April. The safe-haven yen also strengthened, dragging exporters' stocks lower.

Indian shares are seen opening lower on Thursday as the total number of confirmed positive coronavirus cases in the country surged to 52,987. The death toll stands at 1,770.

Asian stock markets are mostly lower on Thursday after a fall in commodity prices overnight and as investors digested dismal economic data that reflected the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Data showing that U.S. private sector employment nosedived last month and China's service sector also continued to contract in April dampened investor sentiment.

Indian shares opened a tad lower on Thursday, with rising U.S.-China tensions and mixed Chinese data weighing on sentiment.

Asian stocks pared early losses to end mixed on Thursday after data showed Chinese exports unexpectedly rose in April, aided by stronger shipments to South East Asia. The surprise helped investors shrug off dismal economic data from the U.S. and renewed U.S.-China tensions.

Indian shares ended lower on Thursday as coronavirus cases continued to rise in the country, putting pressure on an already slowing economy. India has been under the world's most extensive lockdown since late March.

The South Korea stock market has finished lower in two of three trading days since the end of the three-day winning streak in which it had collected almost 60 points or 3.1 percent. The KOSPI remains just beneath the 1,930-point plateau although it may bounce higher again on Friday.

Ahead of Thursday's holiday for Vesak Day, the Malaysia stock market had finished lower in two of three trading days since the end of the four-day winning streak in which it had climbed almost 40 points or 3 percent. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index now rests just above the 1,375-point plateau although it may see renewed support on Friday.

Ahead of Thursday's holiday for Vesak Day, the Singapore stock market had moved higher in two straight sessions, collecting almost 30 points or 1.2 percent along the way. The Straits Times Index now rests just above the 2,590-point plateau and it may add to its winnings on Friday.

Indian shares opened lower on Wednesday as investors react to the latest developments related to earnings and the coronavirus crisis.

Asian shares ended broadly higher on Wednesday as several countries announced plans to ease lockdown measures amid falling coronavirus infection rates.

Indian shares rose on Wednesday, with banking and auto shares gaining ground on hopes for economic recovery after the country eased some lockdown restrictions.

The South Korea stock market bounced higher again on Wednesday, one session after it had ended the three-day winning streak in which it had collected almost 60 points or 3.1 percent. The KOSPI now rests just beneath the 1,930-point plateau and it may inch higher again on Thursday.

The Taiwan stock market has finished higher in two straight sessions, gathering more than 50 points or 0.5 percent along the way. The Taiwan Stock Exchange remains just beneath the 10,775-point plateau and it's expected to remain in that neighborhood again on Thursday.

As Victorians wait to learn what freedoms will return after the weekend, the state's number of confirmed coronavirus cases has risen again.

Western Australia will establish a multi-million-dollar fund to boost research into the coronavirus and to ramp up the state's testing regime.

Queensland has recorded its third day of zero cases this week but authorities warn the virus has not been eradicated and more cases are expected.

A resident who died in Sydney's Newmarch House had recovered from coronavirus and died of an unrelated illness, NSW Health says.

Magician Roy Horn, who was one half of the German duo "Siegfried & Roy," has died after contracting Covid-19, his spokesman says.

Australians are being warned to take care when visiting their mums on Mother's Day, particularly if they are elderly.

Vice President Mike Pence's press secretary has the coronavirus, the White House says, making her the second person who works at the White House complex known to test positive for the virus this week.

A driver who smashed into a female cyclist, injuring her badly, then drove off should hand himself in, police say.

Thousands of people have flocked to shopping malls and supermarkets across Adelaide, raising concerns of growing complacency over the coronavirus pandemic.

The British government has told airlines it will introduce a 14-day quarantine period for most people arriving from abroad to try to avoid a second peak of the coronavirus pandemic, an association representing the airlines said on Saturday.

Don’t fall for the line that Australia has handled the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic brilliantly.

Mother's Day at Sydney Zoo will be three times as special this year as the park celebrates the birth of three brand new baby baboons.

From virus fears to job fears, isolation to homeschooling worries, financial stress to family stress, Australia’s pandemic lockdown is having an unprecedented effect on our mental health.

The fast food industry has been accused of using marketing strategies to cash in on the pandemic lockdown.