In European Equity Markets the pan-European Stoxx 600 closed 0.33 percent higher with the bulk of sectors in positive territory. Autos and banks were among the best-performing sectors.  At the same time, investors are monitoring further corporate results. Erste Group Bank reported third quarter results with a beat on net profit. However, the stock had fell 1.2 percent by the close of Friday. Looking across the European benchmark, Luxury retailers were among those leading the gains, with Moncler and Kering both finishing up by more than 5 percent.

In Currency Markets the US dollar made modest gains against the yen on Friday, boosted by upbeat U.S. jobs data, but gains were limited by hopes that Washington and Beijing can repair the trade tensions that have spurred safe-haven buying of the greenback. The dollar was 0.28 percent higher against the yen, while the euro was up 0.02 percent against the greenback. Sterling was down 0.3 percent on the day, but on pace for its biggest weekly gain since March. The pound was aided this week after the Bank of England signaled more interest rate hikes could be on the way.

In Commodities Markets oil prices fell about 1 percent on Friday, heading for a weekly loss of over 6 percent, as investors worried about oversupply when the United States said it will temporarily spare eight jurisdictions from Iran-related sanctions.  U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the decision in a conference call. The waivers could allow top buyers to keep importing Iranian oil after economic penalties come back into effect on Monday. Brent futures for January delivery fell 26 cents to $72.63 a barrel, a 0.4 percent loss. U.S. crude fell 61 cents to $63.08 per barrel, a 1 percent loss.

In US Equity Markets stocks gave up early gains to trade lower on Friday, after Apple’s disappointing forecast added to fears of slowing corporate growth, outweighing a boost from healthy economic data and trade optimism. Apple Inc’s shares fell 6.7 percent, after the iPhone maker warned sales for the crucial holiday quarter may miss expectations. The S&P 500 was down 0.68 percent, at 2,721.69. The Nasdaq Composite was down 1.13 percent, at 7,350.16. Starbucks Corp jumped as much as 12 percent to a record high after the coffee chain reported strong sales.

In Bond Markets Euro zone bond yields rose on Friday after reports that U.S. President Donald Trump was taking steps to resolve a trade war with China fueled demand for risky assets, and data showing strong U.S. jobs growth pointed to higher interest rates. Yields on 10-year U.S. Treasuries and German Bunds rose to their highest in over a week, up four and six basis points respectively on Friday. Germany’s 10-year bond yield, the benchmark for the region, rose to 0.438 percent. It is up eight bps this week and set for its biggest one-week jump in a month.