KUALA LUMPUR
The local market is closed on Friday for a public holiday.

TOKYO
Japanese stocks pared early losses on Friday as banks such as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group gained after US bond insurer MBIA Inc reassured investors about its stability, benefitting beaten-down financials.

As of 8.11am Singapore time, the benchmark Nikkei average was up 0.2 per cent at 13,615.42, after a 1.9 per cent gain on Thursday.