SINGAPORE (Dow Jones)--Asian stock markets were mostly higher Friday amid further progress toward a resolution to Greece's debt crisis, while regional oil plays were lower after a surprise decision by the International Energy Agency to release strategic crude oil reserves.
Japan's Nikkei Stock Average rose 0.4%, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.1%, South Korea's Kospi Composite gained 0.7% and New Zealand's NZX-50 climbed 0.1%.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 38 points in screen trade.
Regional investors were encouraged by news Greece's government had agreed with the International Monetary Fund and the European Union on a five-year austerity program, taking a further step toward resolving the nation's debt crisis. Still, demand was tempered by global growth worries.
"There's a delicate balance between fear and value in the market," said RBS Morgans investment adviser Chris MacDonald in Sydney. "Investors are mostly sidelined as they wait to see if austerity plans are passed by the Greek parliament next week."
Oil stocks in the region were sold off after the IEA announced Thursday that members would release 60 million barrels of oil from emergency supplies to replace lost Libyan oil exports. August Nymex crude oil futures, which dropped sharply Thursday, were modestly higher in Asian trade. The contract was recently up 83 cents at $91.85 per barrel on Globex.
Inpex fell 2.6% and Japan Petroleum lost 1.3% in Tokyo, and in Seoul SK Innovation slumped 5.1% and S-Oil lost 4.9%, while Woodside Petroleum dropped 0.8% in Sydney.
The Tokyo market was supported by growing optimism for earnings of Japanese firms following recent relatively robust forecasts by Nissan Motor and Suzuki Motor.
"The improvement in earnings outlook has triggered a shift in buying in large-cap stocks from small and medium-sized shares," said Okasan Securities strategist Hideyuki Ishiguro.
Bellwether exporter stocks were up, with Sony 1.5% higher and Toyota Motor up 1.2%.
Chubu Electric Power rose 0.4% following a Nikkei report that the company will receive a Y100 billion emergency loan from the government to help fund fuel costs as the utility shut down its Hamaoka nuclear plant.
Nissan Motor fell 0.7% as it took a breather following a rise the previous session, while Suzuki Motor rose 0.9%.
In Seoul, investors responded favorably to positive news around the euro-zone debt woes.
"The Kospi is now attempting to test the 2080 point, but it seems a bit difficult to rise above the 2100 level amid weak foreign buying of late," said MiraeAsset Securities' analyst Jung Seung-jae.
Thursday's fall in oil prices supported airline stocks, with Korea Air Lines up 3.3%, and Asiana Airlines 3.6% higher.
Korea Express extended Thursday's sharp gains, tacking on 10.8% on news that Samsung SDS and Posco are mulling a consortium to bid for a controlling stake in the logistic company.
The Sydney market was choppy. Commonwealth Bank of Australia and National Australia Bank rose 0.9% each, while BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto advanced 0.3%-0.5%.
Telstra fell 1.4% after Morgan Stanley downgraded the stock and Moody's Investors Service on Thursday placed the phone company's debt on review for a possible downgrade following its broadband deal with the government.
In foreign exchange markets, the euro was steady against the U.S. dollar after rising Thursday on news that Greece had reached an agreement with the EU and the IMF on a five-year austerity program. However, market participants remained cautious as the austerity program faces a key vote in Greek parliament next week.
"The Greek government may face further hurdles in passing austerity measures next week," said Mike Burrowes, currency strategist at the Bank of New Zealand.
He noted comments Thursday from Greek opposition leader Antonis Samaras that the only way for Greece to repay its debt was for the government to change its current fiscal policies. "This suggests the vote on the austerity package next week will not be plain sailing," Burrowes said.
The single currency was at $1.4250 against the dollar, from $1.4257 late Thursday in New York, and at Y114.76 against the yen, from Y114.78. The dollar was at Y80.54, from Y80.50.
September Japanese government bond futures were up 0.13 at 141.38 points, while the 10-year cash JGB yield was down 0.5 basis point at 1.100%.
Spot gold was at $1,546.80 per troy ounce, down $1.20 from its New York settlement on Thursday.
-John Phillips, Dow Jones Newswires; +65-6415-4142; john.phillips@dowjones.com
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