Asian Stocks End Higher; Nikkei Gains 1%

By Jeremiah Marquez

HONG KONG -- Asian stocks advanced Friday, with resource companies gaining as oil prices broke above $69 and mining giants Rio Tinto (RTP Quote)and BHP Billiton (BHP Quote) announced a partnership. Japan's Nikkei index rose to an eight-month high.

But investors tread cautiously ahead of a key U.S. jobs report that could bring more signs of recovery -- or weakness -- in the world's largest economy and its consumers, whose spending is critical for Asian exporters.

Investors were comforted by news Thursday that the number of American workers continuing to receive unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell for the first time in 20 weeks. ...