Markets have also seen a mood shift on the outlook for US interest rates, with futures implying an 80% chance the Federal Reserve will hike by a quarter point to 5.0-5.25% in May.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan lost 0.2% in early trade. Nonetheless, the index is set to rise 4.2% for the week, hovering around the highest level since September.
Speculation that China might open its economy saw copper jump 7% on Friday in its biggest one-day rally since 2009, while a range of resources all benefited from hopes of increased demand.