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"Things have been getting better. There's no question about it. We've had a remarkable V-shaped recovery since last March," said Alan Valdes, director of floor operations for Kabrik Trading in New York. The market could have momentum on its side as investors turn their attention to what is expected to be a strong earnings season.
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The Dow .DJI, meanwhile, has its sights set on the psychologically important 11,000 level, which could be taken out Monday if there is enough enthusiasm over the jobs report. The payrolls data will lend support to markets, as U.S. stock futures rallied on Friday in the wake of the release. Private hiring was stronger than anticipated, bolstering the view the economy is starting to find its footing and, as a result, needs less government support.
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As well as the payrolls report, investors will take in minutes from the Fed's rate-setting meeting in March, and a round of data that includes February pending home sales and an ISM survey on the U.S. services sector for March.
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February pending home sales, also due on Monday, are expected to dip 0.1 percent, improving from January's sharp drop of 7.6 percent. Friday's wholesale inventories report for February is expected to show a gain of 0.4 percent from a revised loss of 0.1 percent in January.
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The increases came as the US dollar's recent strength against the Japanese currency boosted prospects for exporters' repatriated earnings.
Tokyo's Nikkei closed up 0.37 per cent while Shanghai rose 0.33 per cent and Taipei added 0.16 per cent. Seoul advanced 0.25 per cent at the close.
"As the market has kept rising in a short period of time, investors want to sell to take profits at some point," Mamoru Nakajo, manager at Phoenix Securities, told Dow Jones Newswires. "But since other markets are strong, they find themselves having to chase the Japan market higher."
Sentiment remained buoyed by HSBC and government data on Thursday showing that Chinese manufacturing picked up in March and a Bank of Japan survey saying manufacturers were at their most optimistic about the economy since September 2008.
Japan's Dai-ichi Life Insurance, which saw a huge debut Thursday, continued to rise, settling up 1.56 per cent at 162,500 yen. It "will likely keep rising next week", an analyst said.
The insurer made its debut on Thursday at 160,000 yen against an IPO price of 140,000 yen.
Chinese shares closed up 0.33 per cent in cautious trade with mining stocks leading the gains amid expectations of increasing demand, dealers said.
The Shanghai Composite Index was up 10.54 points at 3,157.96. It was the index's highest closing level since it hit 3,158.86 on January 21. The key index gained 3.2 per cent over the week, its biggest weekly gain in 10 weeks.
"The focus on resource companies has contributed to the market's firmer footing, which should help the index continue its positive momentum in the coming sessions," said Zheng Weigang, an analyst at Shanghai Securities.
Coal miners led Friday's gains because of higher coal prices caused by severe drought in southwestern China, which has disrupted hydropower output.
The Taiwan weighted index closed up 12.84 points or 0.16 per cent at 8,025,9amid rotational buying, dealers said.
"After the market stood above the key 8,000-point level on Thursday, market sentiment has turned cautious about strong resistance ahead," Grand Cathay Securities analyst Mars Hsu said, adding that he expected the bourse to trade in a narrow range next week.
* South Korean shares closed 0.25 per cent higher, with gains in blue chips on expectations of good first-quarter earnings.
The benchmark Kospi ended up 4.32 points at 1,723.49.
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