HONG KONG (Reuters) – Asian shares rose on Friday, looking to extend three straight quarters of gains, while the dollar strengthened against most major currencies after hawkish comments from a senior U.S. Federal Reserve official.
MSCI’s index of Asia-Pacific stocks outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) was up 0.27 percent on the day after touching its highest level since May 2008, prompted by optimism on global economic growth.
Japan’s Nikkei (.N225), however, was down 0.1 percent, erasing early gains.
Oil kicked off the new quarter in positive fashion with U.S. prices climbing after closing at their highest in 2-1/2 years on Thursday against the backdrop of continued fighting in Libya and unrest in the Middle East.
Gold fell on more tough inflation talk from U.S. central bankers after notching a 10th quarterly gain.
Investors are treading cautiously ahead of the latest payroll data from the United States later on Friday.
Another month of solid U.S. hiring, expected in the
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