Asian shares edge up after Wall Street gains

Asian markets moved slightly higher on Friday as bargain-hunters moved in after the previous session's heavy losses, with investors taking a lead from Wall Street and a positive batch of US data. Hong Kong nudged 0.27 percent higher, Sydney added 0.44 percent and Seoul was up 0.68 percent, while Shanghai put on 0.19 percent. Tokyo was closed for a public holiday. The dollar held on to its recent gains after the head of the Federal Reserve hinted that US interest rates could be hiked early next year, sooner than analysts had expected. Global markets skidded after Janet Yellen told a news conference that a rate rise could come "around six months" after the bank’s stimulus programme ends. On forex markets, the dollar maintained its strength after rallying in response to Yellen's remarks. The euro fetched $1.3778 against $1.3779 in New York late Thursday, while the greenback also bought 102.35 yen compared with 102.42 yen. It had been sitting at $1.3930 and 101.51 yen before the rate remarks. The euro fetched 141.03 yen from 141.14 yen. Oil prices slipped. New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for May delivery, eased 38 cents to $98.52 in early Asian trading while Brent North Sea crude for May lost 37 cents to $106.08. Gold fetched $1,332.55 an ounce at 0110 GMT compared with $1,325.28 late Thursday, according to AFP.