Most Asian stocks rose on Friday, buoyed by gains in the technology sector as investors cheered strong earnings from Microsoft and Alphabet, although anticipation of more cues on interest rates kept sentiment in check.
Japanese stocks picked up pace after mixed signals from the Bank of Japan cast doubts over just how much capacity it had to raise interest rates further.
Regional markets tracked gains in U.S. stock index futures, which rose sharply after stronger-than-expected earnings from tech giants Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL). The two stocks surged in aftermarket trade, with Alphabet hitting a record high.
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