Asian shares mixed, eyes on Ukraine crisis
Asian markets were mixed on Friday, with another upbeat lead from Wall Street overshadowed by concerns about the Ukraine crisis.
The euro maintained its momentum after a pick-up on Thursday fuelled by a healthy consumer confidence reading from Germany, while the dollar also edged higher against the yen.
Tokyo added 0.77 percent and Sydney was up 0.24 percent but Hong Kong dipped 0.55 percent, Seoul was 0.30 percent lower and Shanghai eased 0.10 percent.
US shares ended mostly higher on Thursday following another round of impressive corporate results as well as a second strong month of durable goods orders in March indicating the economy is rebounding from its winter slump.
The Nasdaq climbed 0.52 percent, boosted by a rally in Apple, which rose more than eight percent on better-than-expected earnings. The S&P 500 added 0.17 percent and the Dow was unchanged.
However, traders remain on edge over the situation in Eastern Europe. Russia on Thursday ordered new military exercises on the border of Ukraine and warned of "consequences" after Kiev launched a deadly assault against pro-Kremlin rebels occupying a flashpoint town.
Later US Secretary of State John Kerry accused Russia of a "full-throated effort to actively sabotage the democratic process through gross external intimidation" and described the military exercises as "threatening".
He also said Moscow had broken an agreement signed last week in Geneva aimed at easing tensions, adding that refusal to take any steps to end the crisis would "not just be a grave mistake, it will be an expensive mistake".
The veteran diplomat added "we are ready to act" as Washington tees up new economic sanctions against Moscow.
On currency markets the euro edged up to $1.3833 and 141.65 yen from $1.3830 and 141.53 yen in New York, boosted by news that the Ifo economic institute's closely watched German business climate index rose in April following a dip in March.
The dollar fetched 102.41 yen, against 102.32 yen in New York late Thursday.
Traders were largely unmoved by data showing Japanese inflation rose for a 10th straight month in March, with rising energy costs behind the increase.
Oil prices rose. New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for June delivery, was up seven cents at $102.01 and Brent North Sea crude for June climbed 16 cents to $110.49.
Gold fetched $1,291.96 an ounce at 0240 GMT compared with $1,271.96 on Thursday.
