Asian markets up ahead of US jobs data

Asian markets climbed on Thursday after the previous day's losses, with expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate hike further dampened by a weak set of US data.

The disappointing figures out of Washington also pushed Wall Street lower and weighed on the dollar ahead of the release of a key US job report on Friday.

Tokyo jumped 1.46 percent, or 277.95 points, to 19,312.79, Sydney rose 0.64 percent, or 37.8 points, to 5,898.6 and Seoul was marginally higher, taking on 0.62 points to 2,029.07.

In afternoon trading, Hong Kong was up 0.51 percent, while Shanghai gained 0.32 percent.

Analysts have warned of rocky weeks ahead after a strong rally across global equity markets in the first three months of the year, as Greece attempts to reform its bailout and oil prices struggle.

Expectations for an early summer US rate hike were also dashed Wednesday after data showed growth in the manufacturing sector slowed for the fifth straight month in March and construction spending dipped in February, led by a decline in public construction.

Payrolls firm ADP also reported that 189,000 private sector jobs were created in March, below the 200,000-mark for the first time since January last year.

The Dow fell 0.44 percent, the S&P 500 dipped 0.40 percent and the Nasdaq lost 0.42 percent.

Onn currency markets the news hurt the dollar, which fetched 119.52 yen in Tokyo Thursday, against 119.76 yen in New York.

Investors will be now closely watching Friday's US non-farm jobs figures to see if the world's top economy remains strong enough to absorb a rate hike.

"You've got payrolls tomorrow and you've still got the backdrop of Fed rate hikes that I think will come later, rather than sooner," Mark Lister, head of private wealth research at Craigs Investment Partners Ltd., told Bloomberg News.

"It will be tougher and more volatile from here."

Meanwhile, the euro bought $1.0816 and 129.32 yen, compared with $1.0760 and 128.86 yen.

The European single currency has held its own as Greece tries to convince its international creditors to accept proposals reforming its bailout programme.

On oil markets, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate fell 40 cents to $49.69 while Brent slipped 32 cents to $56.78 in afternoon trade.

Gold fetched $1,205.48 against $1,183.55 late Wednesday.

In other markets:

-- Taipei rose 0.97 percent, or 92.66 points, to 9,600.32.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. gained 2.08 percent to Tw$147.0 while Hon Hai Precision Industry closed 1.64 percent higher at Tw$93.2.

-- Wellington was flat, edging down 4.19 points to 5,831.40.

Ryman Healthcare added 2.03 percent to NZ$8.04, Spark eased 0.65 percent to NZ$3.05 and Auckland Airport slipped 1.54 percent ot NZ$4.47.

-- Mumbai and Manila were closed for public holidays.