TGIF? Global Equities Mostly Higher On Friday

Asian stocks were mostly higher on Friday even though the prospect of a Fed rate hike in June remains an ongoing concern. In addition, the Group of Seven finance ministers and central banks are scheduled to meet in Sendai, Japan on Friday and Saturday to discuss coordinated simtulus measures - a topic that is unlikely to be agreed on. According to

central bankers have "limited" room to maneuver on fiscal policy which is "unwelcome" news for Japan as the country is eyeing its own new fiscal stimulus measures in the coming months. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was an out-performer among major Asian indices, gaining 0.80 percent. China's Shanghai index gained 0.66 percent, Australia's ASX index gained 0.55 percent, Japan's Nikkei index gained 0.54 percent and Taiwan's TSEC index gained 0.44 percent. India's Mumbai Sensex index lost 0.39 percent.

European stocks were mostly higher as well with more than 4 hours of trading remaining, led by the UK's FTSE index that is on track for its biggest daily gain in 5 weeks. The index was higher by 1.33 percent as the most recent polls are now suggesting a "no" outcome on the upcoming "Brexit" vote. France's CAC index was higher by 1.13 percent and Germany's DAX was higher by 0.83 percent. Oil prices also traded higher early Friday morning with US WTI crude futures trading at higher by $0.43 at $48.59 and approaching its previous 7-month high of $48.95.