Shares in Asia-Pacific were mixed on Thursday as investors awaited the release of U.S. consumer inflation data.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 jumped 116.21 points, or 0.4%, to 27,696.06.
The Japanese yen traded at 115.61 per U.S. dollar, still weaker than levels below 115 seen against the greenback earlier this week.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index gained 94.36 points, or 0.4%, to 24,924.35.
Hong Kong-listed shares of China Evergrande Group soared more than 4%. The embattled developer aims to deliver 600,000 apartments in 2022, but was not looking to a fire sale of its assets to clear its debts.
The Australian dollar was at $0.7177, largely holding on to gains after its climb from below $0.712 earlier in the week.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 ducked 12.2 points, or 0.3%, to 4,639.86
In Singapore, the Straits Times index forged ahead 7.96 points, or 0.2%, to 3,428.
In Korea, the Kospi index inched up 3.08 points, or 0.1%, to 2,771.93.
In Taiwan, the Taiex index gained 186.29 points, or 1%, to 18,338.05
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 doffed 20.9 points, or 0.2%, to 12,413.05.
In Australia, the ASX 200 took on 20.12 points, or 0.3%, to 7,288.45.