Investors will be tracking a raft of data coming in from the US.
The economy expands an annualised 3.5% in the first quarter, above analysts' expectations for a 2.7% rise.
Japanese banking stocks pull the Nikkei down despite stronger GDP data.
France contracts 0.2% in the first quarter due to ongoing austerity measures.
French economy falls back after economic activity shrinks for third time over four quarters.
The US dollar moves past the 102 yen mark, hovering closer to its 52-week high of 102.43 yen.
Eurozone industrial production rises 1% in March as against analysts' estimates of 0.5% growth.
Markets climb as investors await string of macro economic data from eurozone.
The US retail sales pick-up in April compares to a drop in March, suggesting growth in the world's largest economy.
The world's top importer of gold posts a 138% increase in gold and silver imports in April.
China's industrial output and retail sales data fail to cheer European markets.
Most Asian markets fall but Japanese stocks buck the trend on weak yen.
Nikkei gains 3% in the last four days of the week on robust employment report from the US.
Dollar rises to highest level in more than four years.
Japanese firms' shares zoom on the back of weak yen which is boosting exports.
Unemployment rate declines to 5.5% in April from 5.6% in March.
Markets await a string of key regional data apart from quarterly earnings reports.
The interest rate cut along with supplementary budget is expected to help accelerate economic recovery.
Food prices rise 4% on an annual basis in April as bad weather and lower rainfall lowered vegetable supplies.
Most Asian indices near a two-year peak boosted by positive earnings reports.
Investors are awaiting earnings reports despite positive Asia performance.
China's recorded a trade surplus of $18.2bn in April from a deficit of $884m in March.
Asian markets continue to gain for the third day in the week.
Societe Generale profit halves, while Credit Agricole reports 51% profit decline.
The Nikkei rises above 14,000 for the first time since June 2008.
The final eurozone composite output index shows a reading of 46.9 in April, the 15th consecutive month of decline in activity.
Services PMI declines to 44.4 from 45.3 in March due to the economic crisis.
The economy is expected to grow at 8%, following a 7.7% growth in the first quarter.
An unexpected improvement in the US labour market lifts Asian market sentiments.
The RBI has cut repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.25%, its third cut this year.