European markets opened higher on Friday, with Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 both showing gains. In Asia, Japanese stocks closed higher, while Chinese markets declined as investors awaited a key briefing on an upcoming stimulus plan. The Shanghai Composite and the CSI 300 Index both saw losses, while Hong Kong markets were closed for a public holiday following a significant drop earlier in the week.
All eyes are on China's Finance Ministry briefing scheduled for Saturday, where a 2 trillion yuan fiscal stimulus plan is expected to be unveiled. This comes after earlier announcements regarding economic stimulus plans fell short of market expectations. South Korea's central bank also cut its benchmark interest rate in a move to stimulate economic growth.
