- A comeback on Wall Street and better-than-expected profits from Chinese technology giants boosted Asian stocks on Friday. The value of the dollar dropped.
- The MSCI Asia-pacific share index rose for the first time in four days, putting it on track for its second weekly rise. Alibaba Group and Baidu surpassed sales projections, boosting Hong Kong's stock market, while Japan also rose. US futures slid.
- The S&P 500 extended a bounce from its lowest level in more than a year on signs us consumers remain resilient despite inflationary pressures.
- Treasury yields were unchanged, while the dollar fell. After being supported by a broad-based market surge and evidence of declining US stockpiles, oil was trading near $114 a barrel. Concerns about copper and aluminium led to a metals sell-off. The slowdown in China will reduce demand.
- China's stock market has risen as investors look for real measures to help the country's battered economy recover. Policymakers are debating how to strike a balance between containing a virus outbreak and promoting economic growth.
