In Asian Equity Markets stocks rose on Friday as markets bet on an economic boost from China’s reopening of its borders this week, although gains were limited amid caution over the release of closely-watched U.S. nonfarm payrolls data later in the day. China’s Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indexes rose about 0.4 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively, as the country prepares to open its borders after three years of COVID-19 lockdowns. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 0.4 percent. The Taiwan Weighted index added 0.7 percent, while Australia’s ASX 200 index rose 0.7 percent.

In Currency Markets the dollar held near an almost one-month high on Friday, after U.S. economic data highlighted a still-tight labour market that could keep the Federal Reserve on its aggressive rate hike path. Against a basket of currencies, the U.S. dollar index rose 0.09 percent to 105.21. Sterling was last 0.1 percent higher at $1.1920. The euro rose 0.02 percent to $1.0522, after tumbling 0.8 percent to touch a three-week trough of $1.0515 also in the previous session. The Aussie was last 0.1 percent higher at $0.6759, The kiwi rose 0.24 percent to $0.6238.

In US Equity Markets main indexes lost more than 1 percent on Thursday, with Nasdaq leading the declines, as evidence of a tight labor market eroded hopes that the Federal Reserve could pause its rating hiking cycle anytime soon as it keeps focused on inflation. The Dow fell 1.02 percent, to 32,930.08, the S&P 500 lost 1.16 percent, to 3,808.1 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.47 percent, to 10,305.24. Shares in Bed Bath & Beyond Inc lost 29.9 percent to $1.69 after the home goods retailer said it was exploring options, including bankruptcy.

In Commodities Markets oil prices rose around 1 percent on Thursday after posting the biggest two-day loss for the start of a year in three decades with U.S. data showing lower fuel inventories providing support and economic concerns capping gains. Brent crude futures settled higher at 1.1 percent, at $78.69 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude settled up 1.2 percent, at $73.67 a barrel. Spot gold pared losses and fell 0.9 percent to $1,837.01 per ounce. Spot silver fell 1.7 percent to $23.32 per ounce, platinum fell 1.5 percent to $1,062.06 while palladium fell 2.8 percent to $1,738.75.

In European Equity Markets stocks fell on Thursday as media stocks were weighed by declines in British education group Pearson, while data suggesting tight labour conditions in the United States raised fears about the Federal Reserve keeping rates higher for longer. The pan-European STOXX 600 closed 0.2 percent lower, having climbed more than 3 percent in the first three sessions of 2023. Retail stocks rose 2.1 percent, with a 6.9 percent jump in British clothing retailer Next, leading the gains after reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter sales and raising its 2022-23 profit forecast.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields for most maturities rose on Thursday after the latest data showed that the labor market in the world’s largest economy remained tight, suggesting the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for some time. In afternoon trading, the yield on 10-year Treasury notes was flat at 3.714 percent. U.S. 30-year Treasury bond yields were down 3.3 bps at  3.849 percent. On the short-end of the curve, U.S. two-year yields, which typically track rate expectations, was up 6 bps at 4.445 percent.