Greece's economy grew by 0.9 percent in the second quarter, official date showed Friday, improving on the 0.8 percent figure reported in a flash estimate earlier in August.

"Seasonally adjusted data indicate that in the second quarter of 2015 (output) increased by 0.9 percent compared with the first quarter of 2015 against the increase of 0.8 percent that was calculated for the flash estimate," the state statistics agency said, as the country headed for early elections next month.

The Agricultural Bank of China, one of the country's "Big Four" state-owned banks, said its net profit for the first half of 2015 rose only 0.3 percent year-on-year, citing the slowing domestic economy and growing bad loans.

Net profit was 104.32 billion yuan ($16.3 billion) in the first six months, against 104.03 billion yuan for the same period last year, it said in a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange late Thursday.

Crude extended gains in Asia Friday following a 10 percent price surge in the previous session fueled by strong US economic data.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for October delivery rose 66 cents to $43.22 while Brent crude for October gained 64 cents to $48.20 in afternoon trade. 

Boeing has won a $1.49 billion contract to build 13 additional P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft, and provide parts for 20 other aircraft of the same type.

The Defense Department said Thursday that nine planes were being built for the U.S. Navy, while the four others were designed for the Royal Australian Air Force.

Ukraine said Thursday it had reach a crucial debt restructuring agreement that will see lenders accept a 20-percent principal write-down and keep global markets open to the cash-strapped ex-Soviet state.

"The deal agrees a 20 percent haircut on Ukraine's stock of sovereign and sovereign guaranteed debt, having immediate debt relief totalling approximately $3.6 billion," the finance ministry said in a statement.

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China's central bank on Thursday set its central rate for the yuan currency at a four-year low against the U.S. dollar, a move analysts said reflected reduced expectations for the unit following a devaluation.

The yuan was fixed at 6.4085 to the greenback, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System, just 0.07 percent weaker from the previous day. But it was the lowest since August 2011, the Shanghai Securities News said on its website.

Oil rose in Asia Thursday as dealers digested a mixed U.S. energy report showing a dip in crude inventories, but barely any decline in production despite sinking prices.

U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate for October delivery gained 87 cents to $39.47 while Brent crude for October rose $1.01 to $44.15 in afternoon trade.

European markets joined Asia on a roller-coaster session Wednesday, as China's interest rate cut showed no sign of ending a crisis fuelled by fears over stalling growth in the world's number-two economy.

Frazzled investors sent Europe's top indexes falling by more than one percent in late morning trade after a choppy session on Asian bourses, and analysts predicted more turbulence ahead.

Oil prices dipped on Wednesday, trading near six-year lows ahead of the latest U.S. energy report after jitters over China's faltering economy spurred heavy losses this week, analysts said. 

U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate for October delivery fell 13 cents to $39.18 in Asian trading, while Brent crude for October eased 13 cents to $43.08 in late-morning trade.