Mainland stocks rebounded on Friday after a sharp selloff in chipmakers in the previous session while Hong Kong shares extended gains as a tepid US jobs report reinforced bets that the Federal Reserve would keep monetary policy supportive.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 295 points, or 1.3 percent, to 23,350 on turnover of HK$304.95 billion.

The tech index rose 44 points, or 1 percent, to 4,499 while the China enterprises index was 87 points, or 1.1 percent, up at 7,699.

US job growth slowed sharply in June, signalling a cooling labour market and prompting investors to scale back expectations for higher US interest rates.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 14 points, or 0.37 percent, to close at 4,043 on turnover of 1.47 trillion yuan, allowing the benchmark to edge up 0.4 percent for the week.

The Shenzhen Component Index was 98 points, or 0.64 percent, higher at 15,597 as turnover hit 1.72 trillion yuan while the ChiNext Index was two points, or 0.07 percent, up at 4,019 on turnover of 803.8 billion yuan.

"We believe the incrementally bigger representation of the tech- and innovation-heavy sectors in the A-share market will continue, with clear policy, funding, resources and capital market action support," analysts at Morgan Stanley said in a note.

"As a result, we see the best opportunities at the index level as offered by the A-share market."

Investors are closely watching June economic data due in the coming weeks for fresh clues on the strength of China's economic recovery.

"We are keen to see the final Q2 activity data for June, due in mid-July, for further signs that the economy is emerging from its soft patch in April and May," said Kelvin Lam, senior China+ economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.

"Even if activity remains sluggish, policymakers are likely to stick to only modest policy adjustments in the second half at the July Politburo meeting, rather than unveil a bazooka stimulus."

In Tokyo, the Nikkei share gauge climbed 1,010 points, or 1.47 percent, to end at 69,744 and eke out a 0.5 percent gain for the week as a paring back of rate hike bets in the United States and positive economic signs at home boosted sentiment.

The broader Topix gained 49 points, or 1.24 percent, to 4,064, marking its fifth straight session of gains and its longest such run since October.

In Seoul, the Kospi swung between gains and losses before surging 440 points, or 5.76 percent, to end at 8,088 as buyers pounced on battered chipmaker stocks. (With contributions from Reuters and Xinhua)



Edited by Thomas McAlinden