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Asia shares mixed as investors await Greece deal Japan's Nikkei falls but other Asian markets rise
(about 5 hours later)
Asian markets traded mixed on Friday as investors kept a close eye on developments in Europe and hopes for a deal with Greece. Asian markets traded mostly higher on Friday as investors kept a close eye on developments in Europe and hopes for a deal with Greece.
Greece said it will talk to creditors about fixing its debt problem when another round of meetings begins later today. Greece said it would talk to creditors about fixing its debt problem when another round of meetings begins later on Friday.
Japan's Nikkei 225 was down 0.4% at 17,912.29 after closing at its highest level since July 2007 on Thursday. However, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.4% to 17,913.36 after closing at its highest since July 2007 on Thursday.
The dollar was at 118.93 yen, strengthening from Thursday's 120.27. Friday's fall was put down to profit-taking and a strengthening in the yen.
A stronger yen is a disadvantage for Japanese exporters as it makes their products more expensive abroad. The dollar fell back to 118.93 yen, from Thursday's level of 120.27. A stronger yen is a disadvantage for Japanese exporters as it makes their products more expensive abroad.
Chinese shares opened higher, following US gains overnight but investors remained cautious ahead of a long Chinese New Year holiday. Chinese shares traded higher, following US gains overnight, but investors remained cautious ahead of a long Chinese New Year holiday.
The Shanghai Composite was up 0.4% to 3,186.56, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was higher 0.5% to 24,537.84. The Shanghai Composite was up 1% at 3,206.48, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 0.8% to 24,627.13.
Australia leading gains The Shanghai Composite was heading for its fifth straight days of gain, the longest winning streak in two months.
In Australia, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 was up 2.1% to 5,864.9 after closing down for the fourth consecutive time in the previous session. Shares were boosted by the central bank's move to allow companies in Shanghai's Free Trade Zone to conduct overseas financing without government approvals.
Shares of mining heavyweight Rio Tinto jumped over 6% after it announced it would return $2bn to shareholders. Australia leads gains
But, shares of Australia's biggest gold miner, Newcrest, were down 0.7% after it reported that its half-year underlying profit was down $7m Australian dollars ($5.4m; £3.5m) from a year ago. In Australia, shares surged to a near seven-year peak on firmer commodity prices.
South Korean shares also headed higher with the Kospi index up 0.3% to 1,947.57. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closed up 2.3% at 5,877.5, and at one point during the day hit 5,893.5 - its highest since May 2008.
Shares in mining heavyweight Rio Tinto jumped 6.5% after it announced it would return $2bn to shareholders.
But, shares of Australia's biggest gold miner, Newcrest, were down 0.1% after it reported that its half-year underlying profit was down 7m Australian dollars ($5.4m; £3.5m) from a year ago.
South Korean shares also closed higher with the Kospi index rising 0.8% to 1,957.5.
Investors ignored data that showed the country's exports in January fell 0.7% from a year ago, weaker than a preliminary 0.4% decline reported earlier.Investors ignored data that showed the country's exports in January fell 0.7% from a year ago, weaker than a preliminary 0.4% decline reported earlier.