- Stock futures in the US were little changed as underlying indexes eked out gains in light trade ahead of a 3-day weekend that will also include a vital jobs report. After falling against the dollar for the first time this week on Thursday, the yen fluctuated.
- While much of the Asian region is closed for the holidays, including Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, financial markets in Japan and mainland China were open. As Chinese stocks gained, Japan's benchmark Topix recovered after a 2-day drop. The majority of European markets are closed.
- In the US, equity markets will be closed on Friday, however the government will release a payroll data, which traders will study for hints on the Federal Reserve's next policy move.
- Stock futures will trade throughout Asia and Europe before closing at 9:15 a.m. in New York, 45 minutes after the jobs report is released. US Treasuries will trade as usual in Tokyo, close during London hours, then reopen in New York for a shorter day. Trade in New York is likely to resume about 6 a.m., with the recommended close at noon.
- The S&P 500 just finished its first losing week in four as a slew of economic data fueled fears that the US economy is heading into a slump.
- Statistics released Thursday showed that unemployment claims exceeded expectations last week, a day after a private payrolls data indicated that hiring slowed more than expected. Trade in S&P 500 equities was 20% lower than the 30-day average on Thursday, as traders avoided large bets ahead of the employment report and the long weekend.
