AKIPRESS.COM - Asian shares got a lift on Friday after upbeat U.S. spending data suggested weaker oil prices have some upside for the American economy, though a continued slide in crude prices kept gains in check and heralded a gloomy opening for Europe markets, reports Reuters.

Financial spreadbetters expected Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE to open down by 65-72 points, or 1.0-1.1 percent lower. Germany's DAX .GDAXI was expected to open down by 90-101 points, or 0.9-1.0 percent lower, while France's CAC 40 .FCHI was seen falling by 43-47 points, or down by 1.0-1.1 percent.

"Despite overnight gains in the U.S. and Asia, we are expecting over 1 percent drops for the major indices on the open," as weaker commodities batter energy and mining stocks, Capital Spreads dealer Jonathan Sudaria said in a note.

A spate of China data added up to more concerns for investors, with factory growth slowing more than expected last month to its second-worst reading since the global crisis and investment expansion hovering near a 13-year low.

U.S. crude futures CLc1 continued to drop after falling below the key psychological support level of $60 a barrel for the first time in five years, and stood at $59.36 in Asia, down about 1 percent on the day.

Brent crude LCOc1 continued its march downwards on Friday and dropped to a 5-1/2-year low of $63 a barrel, bringing this week's losses to more than 8 percent. It was last down 0.4 percent on the day at $63.44.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS edged up about 0.1 percent, though on track for a loss of over 2 percent for the week.

Japan's Nikkei stock average .N225 ended up 0.7 percent, extending gains as the U.S. data lifted exporter shares, but booked a loss of 3.1 percent for the week.