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Hong Kong - Asian markets were mixed on Friday as profit-taking offset another record close for the Dow on Wall Street, while Tokyo reversed morning losses to end on a high as the dollar broke the ¥116 barrier.
The generally upbeat outlook provided support and capped any losses, while attention will turn to this weekend's G20 summit and the release on Monday of Japanese growth data.
Tokyo added 98.04 points, to 17 490.83 - its highest since July 2007 - and Sydney rose 11.60 points to 5 454.3, while Seoul fell 15.37 points to close at 1 945.14.
In the final trading session before the launch of a cross-exchange connection, Shanghai ended 6.78 points, lower at 2 478.82 while in the late afternoon Hong Kong gained 67.44 points to 24 087.38.
After a turbulent October, global equities have enjoyed a strong run this month, largely helped by the Bank of Japan's decision to ramp up its stimulus programme to kick-start an anaemic economy.
Traders were given a positive lead from Wall Street, where the Dow added 0.23% to hit another all-time high, while the S&P 500 rose 0.05% but fell short of another record. The Nasdaq put on 0.11%.
US shares have notched up numerous records this year in response to a stream of figures showing the world's biggest economy is well on track for recovery.
The strong US economy and the BoJ's easing have also helped push the dollar higher and on Friday it hit ¥116.27, its highest since late 2007 and well up from ¥115.75 in New York late on Thursday.
The euro fetched $1.2451 and ¥144.80 compared with $1.2476 and ¥144.42.
Japanese traders remain on alert following reports that the government is considering a delay to next year's planned sales tax hike as well as a possible snap election next month.
"All eyes are on Monday's third quarter gross domestic product data, which will be used to justify everything that's being reported in the press - from the imminent dissolution of the lower house to the putting off of next year's sales tax hike," said Kazuyuki Terao, chief investment officer at Allianz Global Investors.
Also in focus will be this weekend's Group of 20 summit in Brisbane, which will see the world's most powerful leaders discuss problems facing the global economy, the Ebola crisis and defence issues.
US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for December delivery rose seven cents to $74.28 while Brent crude for January gained 38 cents to $77.87 in afternoon trade.
WTI plunged on Thursday to settle at its lowest close since September 2010, while Brent dived $2.46 on the last day of the December contract.
Gold was at $1 152.81 an ounce, compared with $1 158.06 late on Thursday.
In other markets:
- Taipei was flat, edging up 2.21 points to 8 982.88. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing rose 0.75% to Tw$135.0 while Hon Hai fell 1.22% to Tw$96.8.
- Wellington climbed 21.25 points to 5 483.997.
- Manila rose 18.71 points to 7 217.34.
- Bangkok fell 0.08% 1.33 points, to 1 575.88 baht. Electricity Generating fell 2.01% to 170.50 baht, while Bangchak Petroleum dropped 2.07% to 35.50 baht.
- Singapore rose 10.74 points to 3 315.67. Real estate developer CapitaLand rose 0.93% to Sg$3.25 while media group Singapore Press Holdings gained 0.46% to Sg$4.33.
- Jakarta ending flat, edging up 0.82 points to 5 049.49. Car maker Astra International rose 1.06% to 7 175 rupiah, while palm oil producer Astra Agro Lestari fell 1.69% to 23 250 rupiah.
- Kuala Lumpur slipped 2.02 points, to 1 813.79. Nestle was down 0.58% at 68.20 ringgit while Tenaga Nasional gained 0.15% to 13.52 ringgit.
- Mumbai rose 106.02 points to 28 046.66. Aluminium maker Hindalco rose 3.59% to 157.40 rupees, while pharmaceutical major Cipla fell 2.45% to 608.85 rupees.
