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The Taiwan stock market has climbed higher in three straight sessions, gathering more than 120 points or 1.1 percent along the way. The Taiwan Stock Exchange now rests just above the 10,840-point plateau and it's looking at another green light for Friday's trade.

The China stock market on Thursday snapped the three-day winning streak in which it had advanced almost 70 points or 2.5 percent. The Shanghai Composite Index now rests just above the 2,870-point plateau although it figures to rebound on Friday.

The Hong Kong stock market on Thursday snapped the two-day winning streak in which it had gathered more than 520 points or 2.2 percent. The Hang Seng Index now sits just above the 23,980-point plateau and it's called to open higher on Friday.

The Australian stock market is advancing on Friday after two days of losses following the positive cues overnight from Wall Street on upbeat corporate earnings results amid continued optimism about easing COVID-19 restrictions.

Ahead of Thursday's holiday for Vesak Day, the Indonesia stock market had finished lower in two of three trading days since the end of the four-day winning streak in which it had advanced more than 220 points or 4.9 percent. The Jakarta Composite Index now sits just beneath the 4,610-point plateau and it's likely to remain rangebound again on Friday.

The Japanese stock market is rising on Friday following the overnight gains on Wall Street on upbeat corporate earnings results and continued optimism about easing COVID-19 restrictions. Investors shrugged off data that showed Japan's services sector continued to contract in April.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Malaysia's unemployment rate rose in March, data from the Department of Statistics showed on Friday.

Hungary's consumer price inflation eased to the lowest level in two years in April, data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office showed on Friday.

Austria's trade deficit decreased in February, as exports and imports declined, data from the Statistics Austria showed on Friday.

The National Retail Federation's Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz believes the economic recovery in the United States from the Coronavirus crisis would come gradually and may vary by location depending on the severity. His remark comes as more and more stores are reopening across the country after at least 30 U.S. states began easing lockdown restrictions and decided to reopen businesses...

Portugal's foreign trade narrowed in March from a year ago amid declines in both exports and imports, figures from Statistics Portugal showed on Friday.

Lithuania trade deficit decreased in March, as exports and imports declined, figures from the statistical office showed on Friday.

Finland's trade deficit widened in March with exports falling more than imports, preliminary figures from the Finnish Customs showed on Friday.

A report released by the Commerce Department on Friday showed wholesale inventories in the U.S. decreased by slightly less than expected in the month of March. The Commerce Department said wholesale inventories slumped by 0.8 percent in March after falling by 0.7 percent in February. Economists had expected inventories to tumble by 1.0 percent.

Reflecting a steep drop in revolving credit, the Federal Reserve released a report on Thursday showing an unexpected decrease in U.S. consumer credit in the month of March.

The average of household spending in Japan was down 6.0 percent on year in March, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said on Friday - coming in at 292,214 yen.

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