Hong Kong - Asian markets mostly rose Friday, following a record lead from Wall Street, while the euro continued to defy mounting fears Greece would default after the latest talks on its debt reform collapsed.
The yen was flat as investors awaited the conclusion of the Bank of Japan's latest policy meeting, which is being watched for a handle on the state of the country's economy and its stimulus plans.
Tokyo added 0.81 percent by the break, Hong Kong advanced 0.72 percent, Sydney surged 1.29 percent, Seoul gained 0.51 percent. However, liquidity woes and profit-taking sent Shanghai tumbling 1.99 percent.
Wall Street's three main indexes rallied, with analysts attributing the gains mostly to the Federal Reserve's policy announcement and pledge Wednesday from chair Janet Yellen that it will only gradually raise interest rates.
The comments eased worries about a sharp rise in borrowing rates in the world's top economy and key driver of global growth.
The Nasdaq jumped 1.34 percent to a record high, while the Dow added 1.00 percent and the S&P 500 gained 0.99 percent.
Investors brushed off increasing worries about Greece's future in the eurozone after talks between the bloc's Eurogroup of finance ministers fell apart Thursday.
The meeting in Luxembourg aimed at breaking the five-month-old standoff was the latest failure to reach a compromise and leaves Athens with less than two weeks to unlock billions of euros in bailout funds to service its debts.
With Greece unwilling to agree to some austerity terms and creditors also not backing down, the country could end up defaulting, which could then lead to it leaving the eurozone.
AFP
