Asian markets were mixed in early trade on Friday, with a slew of earnings and data due throughout the session, as well the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) keenly awaited monetary policy decision.

Australia's ASX 200 index traded up 0.12 percent, with the energy and material sub-indexes dropping in early trade. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 was down 0.23 percent, while the Topix was down 0.29 percent. Across the Korean Strait, the Kospi was up 0.15 percent.

"The market is positioned for easing from the BOJ and this could come in many guises," said Chris Weston, chief market strategist at brokerage firm IG.

Analysts broadly expect the BOJ will introduce fresh stimulus measures, which could include pushing interest rates deeper into negative territory or expanding its asset-purchase program, which buys securities including Japanese government bonds and exchange-traded funds.

On the fiscal front, Japanese media agency Jiji reported that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was preparing a stimulus package worth 28 trillion yen ($265.30 billion), which exceeded initial estimates of around 20 trillion yen.

"Many feel

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First Published:Jul 29, 2016 7:55 AM IST