• Asian stocks were set to end the week on a positive note, unscathed by a U.S. trade probe on Chinese steel exports, while the euro remained on edge ahead of Sunday's first round in a tight French presidential election after a shooting overnight in Paris that was claimed by Islamic State.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS added 0.5 percent on Friday, taking its cue from Wall Street's solid performance overnight on expectations of strong first-quarter earnings growth. It is still poised for a 0.4 percent weekly loss.
• Japanese stocks rose to 1-1/2 week highs on Friday as global investors bet that U.S. tax reforms are gaining traction, but Fujifilm Holdings tumbled after delaying the release of its earnings because of an accounting probe.
The Nikkei 225 share average gained 1.0 percent to 18,620.75, its highest closing level since April 11.
• Shanghai stocks post their worst week in 2017 as tighter regulatory scrutiny and concerns over the broader economic outlook dampened investors' risk appetite.
The blue-chip CSI300 index rose 0.2 percent to 3,466.79, while the Shanghai Composite Index was flat at 3,173.15 points.
• In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index added 0.1 percent to 24,075.16 points, while the Hong Kong China Enterprises Index gained 0.1 percent to 10,061.45.
The market steadied in line with global markets, which were supported by bets on strong U.S. earnings and tax reform, but gains were capped by caution ahead of the first round of French presidential elections on Sunday and tensions over North Korea.
Reference: Reuters,CNBC
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