Asia

Japan's Nikkei share average closed at its highest since December 2015, while investors waited for a U.S. jobs report that could pave the way for a rate hike as early as next week.

Asian stocks edged up and the dollar rose to 1-1/2-month highs versus the yen on Friday, ahead of the closely-watched U.S. non-farm payrolls report due later in the day.

Asian stocks edged up and the dollar rose to 1-1/2-month highs versus the yen on Friday, ahead of the closely-watched U.S. non-farm payrolls report due later in the day.

Japan's Nikkei share average snapped a four-day losing streak on Thursday, helped by a weaker yen as the dollar gained after a private jobs report cemented expectations the U.S. Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next week.

Japan's Nikkei share average snapped a four-day losing streak on Thursday, helped by a weaker yen as the dollar gained after a private jobs report cemented expectations the U.S. Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next week.

China stocks edged lower on Wednesday, as small-caps pulled back amid lingering concerns over tighter liquidity.

China stocks edged lower on Wednesday, as small-caps pulled back amid lingering concerns over tighter liquidity.

Japan's Nikkei share average eased slightly for the fourth consecutive session on Wednesday, as investors turned cautious ahead of a U.S. jobs report later in the week.

Japan's Nikkei share average eased slightly for the fourth consecutive session on Wednesday, as investors turned cautious ahead of a U.S. jobs report later in the week.

Revised data show Japan's economy expanded at a slower than hoped for 1.2 percent annual pace in the last quarter of 2016.

Revised data show Japan's economy expanded at a slower than hoped for 1.2 percent annual pace in the last quarter of 2016.

Australia's resource-rich economy avoided recession by posting strong growth in the fourth quarter, helped by surging commodity prices.

Japan's Nikkei share average edged down on Tuesday, following Wall Street's lead, with investors deterred by geopolitical tensions after the North Korean missile tests.

Japan's Nikkei share average edged down on Tuesday, following Wall Street's lead, with investors deterred by geopolitical tensions after the North Korean missile tests.

Markets in Asia largely recovered from a Deutsche Bank-led decline in financial stocks in the morning, as attention moved to Friday's release of U.S. jobs data.

Markets in Asia largely recovered from a Deutsche Bank-led decline in financial stocks in the morning, as attention moved to Friday's release of U.S. jobs data.

Japanese shares fell on Monday in thin trade as the yen firmed and as global geopolitical tensions rose after North Korea fired four missiles, three of which landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone.

Japanese shares fell on Monday in thin trade as the yen firmed and as global geopolitical tensions rose after North Korea fired four missiles, three of which landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone.

China's top economic official trimmed the country's growth target and warned Sunday of dangers from global pressure for trade controls as Beijing tries to build a consumer-driven economy and reduce reliance on exports and investment.