Most world stock markets slip as investors await US job data
The South Korean electronics maker posted its fattest quarterly profit in three years, boosting shares by 1.8 percent and shoring up stock market sentiment.
The company said operating profit surged 50 percent to 9.2 trillion won ($7.8 billion), surpassing even the most bullish analyst forecasts.
Markets are paying more attention to China's currency, which has surged against the dollar in what some see as a sign that Beijing wants to stem the closely controlled currency's recent decline to curb capital outflows.
Markets are awaiting a U.S. government report on employment due later Friday that Fed officials will factor into future decisions on interest rate policy.
ANALYST VIEW: "Tonight's U.S. payroll number may set new expectations for the pace of U.S. rate hikes this year," said Nicholas Teo of KGI Securities in Singapore.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index lost 0.3 percent to finish at 19,454.33 while South Korea's Kospi added 0.4 percent to 2,049.12.