Asian shares steady, but set for weekly losses

Asian shares steadied on Friday after losses earlier in the week, but China jitters and global growth concerns weighed on investors' minds, while the dollar sat near a three-week high.

European shares also looked set to rise on opening with pan-region Euro Stoxx 50 futures up 0.61 per centand FTSE futures 0.41 per centhigher.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) rose 0.12 per centon Friday but was set to finish down 2.7 per centon the week, which would be its worst week in four.

"We're looking at a market that is nervous, though hasn't seen sentiment turn outright bearish," said Kyle Rodda, an analyst at IG markets.

"If you look for catalysts that could justify the next move to the upside in equities and risk assets, they are nowhere to be seen because global growth concerns are keeping investors on edge."

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (.HSI) rose 0.23 per centwith traders looking for oversold stocks after the benchmark posted its lowest close in 10 months the day before.