Asian markets trading on a mix note, Gold back above $1250 before US NFP job data

All Asian markets are trading on a higher note on Friday. Today is the important day for the global stock markets and bullion as US will release NFP job data later today. NFP data is expected to show job growth at 195,000 last month, up on the yet-to-be revised January figure of 151,000.

On Wednesday, US released ADP job data with positive numbers at 214K m/m vs 193K previous release.  Despite such positive ADP job results, Gold remains well supported above $1225 marks and currently trading around $1260 levels.

The Nikkei 255 index slipped 0.02% to 16,956.92 points on Friday morning in Tokyo, while Japan's broader Topix index fell 0.08% to 1,367.96 points.

South Korea's Kospi index traded 0.23% lower at 1,953.53 points on Friday morning in Seoul.

Hong Kong markets opened on a more upbeat note on Friday, with the benchmark Heng Seng index rising 0.60% to 20,062.19 points, however, mainland China's Shanghai Composite opened 0.50% lower at 2,845.41 points.

Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.13% to 5,087.40 points on Friday and New Zealand's S&P/NZX 50 index gained 0.61% to trade at 6,419.64 points.