Asian stocks ended mixed on Friday even as positive Chinese data boosted optimism about the global economic outlook.

The focus was on U.S. jobs data due tonight, with economists expecting U.S. employment to jump by 978,000 jobs in April after an increase of 916,000 jobs in May. The unemployment rate is expected to dip to 5.8 percent from 6.0 percent.

China's Shanghai Composite index dropped 22.41 points, or 0.65 percent, to 3,418.87 after a Bloomberg report suggested that the Biden administration is likely to preserve limits on U.S. investments in certain Chinese companies. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index ended down 26.81 points at 28,610.65.

China's exports grew more than expected in April as global demand remained strong, data from the General Administration of Customs revealed today.

Exports advanced 32.3 percent on a yearly basis in April while economists had forecast the growth rate to ease to 24.1 percent from 30.6 percent posted in March. Likewise, imports surged 43.1 percent from the previous year versus the expected growth of 42.5 percent.

The services sector in China continued to expand in April, and at a faster pace, the latest survey from Caixin revealed with a services PMI score of 56.3, up from 54.3 in March. The report also showed that the composite index moved up to 54.7 from 53.1 in March.

Japanese shares ended little changed after a survey showed the services sector in Japan continued to contract in April, albeit at a slower pace with a PMI score of 49.5, up from 48.3 in March.

The Nikkei average edged up by 26.45 points to finish at 29,357.82, with continuing concerns about the spike in daily domestic coronavirus infections and possible lockdowns capping the upside. The broader Topix index closed 0.29 percent higher at 1,933.05.

According to media reports, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said the situation in the capital has not improved enough to lift the state of emergency as plans are afloat to expand and extend the ongoing pandemic-related state of emergency.

Tech stocks rose, with Advantest, Tokyo Electron and Screen Holdings gaining 1-3 percent.

Australian markets eked out modest gains as surging commodity prices helped lift miners. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index rose 19.10 points, or 0.27 percent, to 7,080.80, while the broader All Ordinaries index ended up 19.20 points, or 0.26 percent, at 7,325.20.

(Source:RTT News)