Japanese gross domestic product numbers for the April-June quarter are due out Monday, and while almost all economists expect the data to show a contraction, they vary widely on how bad the hit will be.
Asian stock markets struggled to find their footing Friday, giving back morning gains despite a dramatically higher finish on Wall Street prompted by a slight drop in U.S. unemployment claims.
Futures suggested Wall Street would give back some of its gains Friday. Dow futures were down 0.8 percent at 11,000 and S&P futures were off 1.3 percent, at 1,153.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.7 percent to 19,727.43. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 1.1 percent to 4,186.40, while benchmarks in New Zealand, Singapore and mainland China also rose.
But Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average was lower -- down 0.2 percent to 8,963.72 after spending the morning in positive territory. A stronger yen, which reduces the value of profits earned overseas, pummeled export shares. Also reversing course was South Korea's Kospi, down by 1.3 percent to 1,793.31. Taiwan and India's benchmarks also fell.
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