Asian shares mostly higher on US figures

HONG KONG: Asian markets mostly rose on the last trading day of the year Friday following another set of positive US economic data, but eurozone debt fears remain after a mixed debt sale by Italy.

Tokyo rose 0.32 percent by the break, Hong Kong was 0.47 percent higher, Sydney slipped 0.19 percent and Shanghai climbed 1.00 percent.

Seoul and Manila were closed for public holidays.

The region was given a good lead from the United States, where the three main indexes on Wall Street rallied after upbeat jobs news and positive results on the housing front.

On Thursday it tumbled to $1.2858 - the lowest since September 14, 2010 - before rebounding on the brighter US economic data. And in early Asian trade Friday it bought $1.2937.

The unit also eased to 100.56 yen in Tokyo from 100.61 yen in New York.

The dollar bought 77.64 yen, compared with 77.62 yen.

On oil markets New York's main contract light sweet crude for February delivery put on 22 cents to $99.87 and Brent North Sea crude for February gained two cents to $108.03.

Gold stood at $1,556.55 an ounce at 0300 GMT, compared with $1,528.10 late Thursday.