In European Equity Markets the pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 0.6 percent, with tech stocks and trade-sensitive sectors like autos and basic resources among the top gainers. In corporate news, Ericsson reported a 10 percent rise in quarterly sales year-on-year. The firm also trimmed operating losses, which came in lower than market forecasts. Ericsson’s share price jumped 3.1 percent. Swedish telecommunications firm Telia fell 4.6 percent, after it released worse-than-expected results and warned of a “challenging environment”.

In Currency Markets the pound held near a 11-week high on Friday and was poised for its biggest weekly rise in more than a year on growing optimism that Britain will avoid a no-deal Brexit. A newspaper report that the party that props up the minority Conservative government could support Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal, on certain conditions, in a preliminary vote next week, sent the British currency over the $1.31 line. Against the euro, the pound was broadly flat at 86.71 pence.

In Commodities Markets oil prices rose on Friday as political turmoil in Venezuela threatened to reduce supply but fresh data on surging U.S. fuel stocks and global economic woes weighed on sentiment. The United States signaled on Thursday it may impose sanctions on Venezuelan exports after recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president this week, prompting President Nicholas Maduro to cut ties with Washington. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were trading at $53.61 per barrel, up 48 cents, or 0.9 percent.

In US Equity Markets stocks rose on Friday, with technology and consumer discretionary sectors leading a rally, as upbeat earnings reports helped investors overlook trade and growth worries. Starbucks Corp shares rose 4.17 percent as the popularity of its holiday-themed drinks in the United States helped quarterly sales top analysts’ expectations. The S&P technology sector rose 0.54 percent, lifted by gains in shares of Western Digital Corp and Apple Inc. The S&P 500 was up 0.66 percent, at 2,659.83 and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.72 percent, at 7,124.61.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields rose on Friday, with 10-year yields bouncing from a one-week low, as Wall Street stocks climbed on upbeat company results, offsetting worries about slowing economic growth and the U.S.-China trade conflict. Two-year Treasury yields, which are particularly sensitive to traders’ views on Fed policy, were up 2.6 basis points at 2.588 percent. Benchmark 10-year Treasury notes was 3.8 basis points higher at 2.750 percent. It hit a one-week low of 2.700 percent on Thursday.