Asian stocks mixed ahead of US jobs report

Asian stock markets were mixed Friday as investors tread cautiously ahead of a key United States jobs report that could bring more signs of recovery - or weakness - in the world's largest economy.

A number of bourses fluctuated, though resource companies helped contain losses in the broader market as crude oil broke above US$69 (NZ$108.6) a barrel.

Investors were comforted by news Thursday that the number of American workers continuing to receive unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell for the first time in 20 weeks.

It augured well for the government's monthly tally of job losses, a critical report on non-farm payrolls that could provide more clues to the health of the US economy, a vital export market for Asia.

Still, optimism about any nascent recovery is pervasive in the market, and some analysts say stocks could push higher even if the figures disappoint - building on a powerful three-month rally that has lifted several markets in Asia more than 30 percent.

"We're still cautious, but more and more people are turning positive about the economy," said Linus Yip, a strategist at First Shanghai Securities in Hong Kong. "I think that confidence will be hard to shake in the short term."

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 stock average added 60.05 points ,or 0.6 percent, to 9,729.01. But Hong Kong's Hang Seng slid 0.4 percent to 18,428.49 in seesaw trade, while South Korea's Kospi shed 0.2 percent to 1,375.99.