In European Equity Markets the pan-European Stoxx 600 closed up by 0.25 percent, with most sectors and major bourses in positive territory. Household goods stocks were among the top gainers, led by Sweden’s Electrolux. The home appliances maker rose close to the top of the European benchmark after posting stronger-than-anticipated quarterly results and forecast easing cost headwinds over the coming months. Shares of the company were up over 10 percent.

In Currency Markets sterling extended losses on Friday, falling under a key technical level against the dollar as weak survey data highlighted the degree of uncertainty sweeping across British factories as it heads towards Brexit. That sent the pound skidding against the euro initially, with the British currency weakening more than half a percent to a 10-day low at 87.93 pence. It was trading at $1.3066, down a third of a percent against the greenback.

In Commodities Markets oil prices rose 1.5 percent on Friday, lifted by signs the United States and China could soon settle their protracted trade dispute while producer cuts and U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan exports have helped tighten supply. International Brent crude oil futures were up 91 cents, or 1.5 percent, at $61.75 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were at $54.42, up 63 cents or 1.17 percent. Analysts believe that the oil market will be more balanced in 2019.

In US Equity Markets the S&P 500 held near an eight-week high on Friday as stronger-than-expected U.S. job growth in January allayed concerns about a slowdown, although disappointing outlook from e-commerce giant Amazon capped gains. The S&P 500 was down 0.06 percent, at 2,702.41 and the Nasdaq Composite was down 0.33 percent, at 7,257.77. Amazon.com Inc fell 4.1 percent after its quarterly sales forecast fell short of Wall Street estimates, overshadowing its record sales and profit during the holiday season.

In Bond Markets Italian government bond yields jumped on Friday after a dismal factories activity survey fuelled concern about a rising budget deficit and the outlook for an economy that has slipped into recession. Italian manufacturing activity contracted for the fourth month running in January and at its sharpest rate since 2013. Italy’s 10-year bond yield jumped as much as 19 basis points to 2.78 percent at one stage, before settling at 2.73 percent, still up 14 bps on the day.