Asian markets settled higher on Friday ahead of cues from the key US jobs data due later in the day. Market sentiments also buoyed by growing expectations that the US Federal Reserve will leave interest rates unchanged at its September meeting. Chinese shares gained after a private survey showed activity in China's manufacturing sector unexpectedly expanded in August. Moreover, fresh supportive measures from the world's second largest economy to prop up its struggling property sector also helped market sentiments. Trading in Hong Kong was suspended as super Typhoon Saola barrels towards China’s southern coast, while Singapore market is closed on account of election day.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,133.25 | 13.37 | 0.43 |
| Hang Seng | -- | -- | -- |
| Jakarta Composite | 6,977.65 | 24.39 | 0.35 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,463.43 | 11.49 | 0.79 |
| Nikkei 225 | 32,710.62 | 91.28 | 0.28 |
| Straits Times | -- | -- | -- |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,563.71 | 7.44 | 0.29 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 16,644.94 | 10.43 | 0.06 |
