Asian stock markets are trading mostly higher on Friday, following the broadly positive cues from Wall Street overnight, as traders had expressed some concerns the US Fed's next monetary policy move could actually be an interest rate hike rather than a cut, but Fed Chair Jerome Powell post-meeting alleviated those worries. Asian markets ended mixed on Thursday.

Indian shares look set to open higher on Friday as investors react to firm global cues and the latest batch of earnings results from prominent companies such as Adani Enterprises and Coal India.

The Thai stock market on Thursday ended the two-day winning streak in which it had added almost 10 points or 0.7 percent. The Stock Exchange of Thailand now sits just beneath the 1,365-point plateau although it figures to bounce higher again on Friday.

The Indonesia stock market on Thursday snapped the two-day winning streak in which it had jumped almost 200 points or 2.9 percent. The Jakarta Composite Index now sits just above the 7,115-point plateau although it's expected to reverse those losses on Friday.

Adding to the gains in the previous session, the Australian stock market is notably higher on Friday, following the broadly positive cues from Wall Street overnight. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 is moving above the 7,600 level, with gains across most sectors led by technology stocks partially offset by weakness in gold mining stocks.

Euro up, dollar-yen down, gold spikes, Google steady. Bank of Canada considers rate cut, Fed hints at future rate adjustment. Key economic events: Japan Consumer Confidence, Australia Trade Balance, US Labor Costs, Spain Unemployment Change, US Jobless Claims, Austria Unemployment Rate.

Brent crude oil prices have dropped to $83.95 per barrel on Thursday, marking the lowest level in seven weeks. This decline follows recent US statistics indicating a significant increase in crude oil inventories and production.

Fed appears less hawkish than expected - Dollar and Treasury yields pull back - Yen rallies on another round of suspected intervention - Wall Street trades cautiously ahead of NFPs

On 30 April – 1 May, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) will meet to decide on key interest rates in the U.S. economy. The Fed is expected to leave rates unchanged.

Powell's dovish stance prompted a sharp decline in the strength of the U.S. dollar, while gold prices rebounded on the prospect of a softer dollar.