Several data points are expected out of Japan later today, including CPI for January and unemployment and retail sales figures for December.

Australia's export price index rose 3.6%, while its import price index advanced 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Wall Street is pointing slightly lower in early trading but is on track to close the week with solid gains on healthy quarterly earnings reports from large U.S. corporations.

Asian shares mostly rose Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve opted not to cut interest rates for the first time since it began trying to help the economy through easier rates in September.

Shares were mixed in thin Asian trading on Monday after U.S. stocks edged back from their all-time high. Oil prices fell and U.S. futures sank, while Chinese shares shed some of their early gains after a survey of manufacturers showed export orders dropping to a five-month low.

U.S. stock indexes are rallying toward the close of their best week in two months. The S&P 500 rose 1.1% Friday.

Australian stocks extend gains from the previous session. Japan stocks open flat. Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong and China markets are closed for Lunar New Year holidays. Australian markets climbed Thursday,