TOKYO
Japan's Nikkei average rose 0.4 per cent on Friday, as a softer yen lifted exporters like Honda Motor Co and banks gained after JPMorgan's profit fell less than expected.

But the market slipped back from earlier levels on caution following some disappointing US earnings results released after the bell and ahead of a three-day weekend.

Japanese markets are closed on Monday for a national holiday.

The benchmark Nikkei ended the morning up 50.34 points at 12,938.29. The broader Topix gained 0.3 per cent to 1,267.59.

KUALA LUMPUR
Malaysian share prices ended 1.4 per cent lower on Friday with plantation and industrial stocks leading losses, dealers said.

The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index lost 16.13 points to 1,105.04.

HONG KONG
Hong Kong shares ended on Friday's volatile session 0.6 per cent higher as gains in HSBC Holdings and local blue chips offset losses in resource counters.

Europe?s largest bank, HSBC Holdings , climbed over 2 per cent, leading gainers on the main index after US peer JP Morgan surprised investors with a smaller-than-expected profit decline for the first half.

But the main index closed off highs as investors focused on expected losses on Wall Street tonight following disappointing earnings from three companies.

Offshore oil producer CNOOC slid more than 2 per cent as oil prices held around $130 per barrel on Friday, down more than 10 per cent from last week?s record.

The Hang Seng Index unofficially closed up 136.04 points at 21,870.76, after opening 1.3 per cent higher. It ended the week down 1.4 per cent.

The China Enterprises Index of top locally listed mainland stocks fell 0.2 per cent.

SHANGHAI
Chinese share prices jumped 3.49 per cent on Friday as oil refiners and airlines surged due to falling oil prices, dealers said.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, closed 93.59 points higher at 2,778.37 on turnover of 59.1 billion yuan (S$11.76 billion).

The Shanghai A-share index gained 98.30 points, or 3.49 per cent, to 2,914.32 on turnover of 58.9 billion yuan, while the Shenzhen A-share index was up 25.54 points, or 3.04 per cent, to 864.61 on turnover of 29.7 billion yuan. -- AFP, REUTERS