In Asian Equity Markets indices declined on Friday, with most major markets trading lower with the exception of Australia. Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined 0.77 percent amid broad-based losses, although utilities as well as oil and coal stocks clung to slight gains. Steelmakers, along with non-ferrous metals, were among the worst-performing sectors, with JFE Holdings falling 2.25 percent and Nisshin Steel losing 1.83 percent. South Korean stocks also traded lower, with the Kospi slipping 0.44 percent. Down Under, the S&P/ASX 200 bucked the trend and gained 0.27 percent.

In Currency Markets the US dollar was on the defensive against the yen and euro early Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concern about the currency’s strength and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate increases. Against the Japanese yen, the dollar recouped some of its losses after falling as low as 112.05 yen from a six-month high of 113.18 yen on Thursday. The euro was 0.1 percent stronger at $1.16545 in the aftermath of Trump’s remarks after dipping to a nearly three-week low of $1.5750 on Thursday.

In Commodities Markets oil prices gained on Friday after Saudi Arabia’s OPEC governor said the kingdom’s exports are likely to fall next month and inventories may be squeezed in the third quarter. Brent oil rose 22 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $72.80, after falling 32 cents on Thursday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was up 51 cents, or 0.7 percent, at $69.97, extending a 1 percent gain in the previous session. However, both benchmarks are on track for a third weekly loss, after big falls early in the week.

In US Equity Markets stocks fell on Thursday after earnings disappointed and trade jitters escalated over worries that the European Union could slap retaliatory tariffs on goods imported from the United States. The S&P 500 lost 0.40 percent, to 2,804.49 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.37 percent, to 7,825.30. The financial sector saw the biggest percentage decline in the S&P 500, down 1.4 percent. Shares of eBay fell 10.1 percent after a disappointing earnings report. The stock was among the biggest drags on the Nasdaq and the S&P 500.

In Bond Markets the U.S. yield curve flattened, close to levels not seen in 11 years, on Thursday as upbeat data on the jobs market and business activity reinforced the view of further interest rate increases from the Federal Reserve. The benchmark 10-year note yield reached a three-week peak at 2.897 percent before retreating to close at 2.845 percent, down 3 basis points from Wednesday. Two-year yield touched 2.632 percent earlier on Thursday, which was the highest since August 2008. It was closed at 2.595 percent, down 1.6 basis points on the day.