Studies indicating Omicron infections are less likely to result in hospitalisation and US approval of drugs from Merck and Pfizer to add to a growing arsenal of weapons against Covid have increased confidence that the pandemic will have less impact on the economy.

"Omicron is looking more like a short-term disruption to the economic outlook and not a destructive headwind that knocks the economy off its course," said OANDA's Edward Moya.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 ended the last session before the holiday weekend at a fresh record following a raft of mostly decent US economic data.

Commerce Department data showed consumer spending climbed in November, though at a slower rate, and new home sales rose.

Jobless benefit claims held steady from the prior week and orders for big-ticket manufactured goods climbed, though mostly due to aircraft.

Inflation, however, posted the biggest increase in nearly four decades, illustrating the delicate balancing act the Federal Reserve faces between reining in inflationary pressures and keeping the economic recovery on track.

Omicron "will create some slowdowns in the economy, perhaps some slowdowns of production which could add to inflation pressures in the short term," Paul Christopher, head of global market strategy at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, told Bloomberg Television, adding however that the economy would work its way through the situation.

The optimistic mood carried over to Asia, with most markets rising, although in quiet trade with several stock exchanges shut or on shortened hours ahead of the Christmas holiday.

Hong Kong rose 0.1 percent while Singapore and Sydney added 0.4 percent after half-day sessions. Seoul, Taipei and Jakarta also enjoyed gains while Shanghai was among the few losers, ending down 0.7 percent and Tokyo closed marginally lower.

- Key figures around 0700 GMT -

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.1 percent at 28,782.59 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.1 percent at 23,223.76 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.7 percent at 3,618.05 (close)

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1330 from $1.1337 late on Thursday

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3397 from $1.3409

Euro/pound: UP at 84.57 pence from 84.46 pence

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 114.39 from 114.40

Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 0.5 percent at $76.50 per barrel

West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.4 percent at $73.79 per barrel

New York - Dow: UP 0.5 percent at 35,950.56 (close)

London - FTSE 100: UP 0.4 percent at 7,373.34 (close)

mtp/rbu

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