- Asia's stocks and currencies rose alongside the dollar's decline, as traders flocked to riskier assets on hopes that the Federal Reserve's tightening cycle is coming to an end.
- Hong Kong equity indices gained more than 2%, while equities in Australia and South Korea gained less than 1%. The MSCI Asia Index was on track to have its best week in two months. Japan's markets are closed for the holiday. Following Apple's disappointing results, US equity futures fell.
- Traders are now focusing on the US nonfarm payroll data due later Friday for more clarity on the Fed's rate path.
- Australian retail sales increased surprisingly in the third quarter, while China's latest private survey data revealed a slower-than-expected expansion in services.