Asian currencies and stocks gain; focus on U.S. inflation data

ASIAN currencies and stock markets advanced on Friday, as investor focus shifted from worries about the global banking system to key U.S. inflation data due later in the day, expected to give a fresh reading on the Fed's monetary policy plans.

Most currencies in the region were also set to end the quarter on a positive note, with Indonesia's rupiah on track to record a 3.8% rise.