Positive global cues helped Indian shares push higher on Friday, though markets ended off their day's highs after Moody's Investors Service revised downward its growth projection for India to 0 percent for FY21 and cautioned that the country's sovereign rating could be downgraded if its fiscal metrics weaken materially.

The China stock market had climbed higher in three straight sessions, collecting almost 70 points or 2.5 percent in that span. The Shanghai Composite Index now rests just beneath the 2,880-point plateau although investors may cash in on Thursday.

The Hong Kong stock market has moved higher in back-to-back sessions, advancing more than 520 points or 2.2 percent along the way. The Hang Seng Index now sits just beneath the 24,140-point plateau although it may run out of steam on Thursday.

Ahead of Wednesday's holiday for Wisakha Bucha Day, the Thai stock market had snapped the four-day winning streak in which it had accelerated almost 45 points or 3.4 percent. The Stock Exchange of Thailand now rests just beneath the 1,280-point plateau and it may extend its losses on Thursday.

Ahead of Thursday's holiday for Vesak Day, the Malaysia stock market had finished lower in two of three trading days since the end of the four-day winning streak in which it had climbed almost 40 points or 3 percent. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index now rests just above the 1,375-point plateau although it may see renewed support on Friday.

Ahead of Thursday's holiday for Vesak Day, the Singapore stock market had moved higher in two straight sessions, collecting almost 30 points or 1.2 percent along the way. The Straits Times Index now rests just above the 2,590-point plateau and it may add to its winnings on Friday.

Indian shares rose on Wednesday, with banking and auto shares gaining ground on hopes for economic recovery after the country eased some lockdown restrictions.

The South Korea stock market bounced higher again on Wednesday, one session after it had ended the three-day winning streak in which it had collected almost 60 points or 3.1 percent. The KOSPI now rests just beneath the 1,930-point plateau and it may inch higher again on Thursday.

Malaysia's unemployment rate rose in March, data from the Department of Statistics showed on Friday.

The National Retail Federation's Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz believes the economic recovery in the United States from the Coronavirus crisis would come gradually and may vary by location depending on the severity. His remark comes as more and more stores are reopening across the country after at least 30 U.S. states began easing lockdown restrictions and decided to reopen businesses...

Norway's industrial production grew at a faster pace in March, figures from Statistics Norway showed on Friday.

European Central Bank Vice-President Luis de Guindos and Governing Council member Gabriel Makhlouf said separately on Thursday that the central bank was more determined to support the euro area economy during crisis periods and the bank stands ready to adjust all tools at its disposal, just days after the top German court ruled that the bank's government debt purchases were in violation of its mandate.

Japan will on Friday see March data for average household spending, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. Spending is predicted to sink 6.7 percent on year after easing 0.3 percent in February.