Asian stock markets were mostly higher in early trading Friday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index dipped two-tenths of a percent , to close at 8,964.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose a tenth of a percent , to end at 19,617.

Elsewhere, share prices were higher in Sydney, Wellington and Manila. Taipei markets closed lower.

The dollar was selling at 76.68 yen in currency trading, down two-tenths of a yen from late Thursday.