In Asian Equity Markets China markets were in negative territory after earlier drifting cautiously higher, with the benchmark Shanghai composite fell 0.34 percent and the smaller Shenzhen composite was lower by 0.04 percent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index, meanwhile, shed 0.48 percent. The Nikkei 225 rose 0.81 percent in Tokyo as most sectors rebounded after the benchmark’s three consecutive sessions of declines. Automakers rose 1.37 percent as major automakers gained, with Toyota Motor up 1.71 percent.

In Currency Markets major currencies trod water early on Friday as investor caution prevailed ahead of Washington’s implementation of its threatened tariffs on Chinese goods and the U.S. jobs report due later in the day. The dollar was 0.1 percent lower at 110.570 yen, having been caught in a relatively narrow 111.14-110.27 range through the week. China’s yuan was little changed in offshore trade after dipping 0.2 percent the previous day. The yuan had retreated to an 11-month low earlier in the week amid trade concerns before pulling back on assurances by China’s central bank.

In Commodities Markets oil prices dipped on Friday in a nervous market ahead of a raft of import tariffs expected to be imposed later in the day by the world’s two biggest economies, the United States and China. Brent crude futures fell 25 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $77.14 per barrel from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were down 15 cents, or 0.2 percent, at $72.79. Weighing on prices was a rise in U.S. crude inventories of 1.2 million barrels in the week to June 29, to 417.88 million barrels, the U.S. Energy Administration (EIA) said on Thursday.

In US Equity Markets major indexes rose on Thursday as reports that the United States and the European Union may agree to withdraw auto tariffs fostered optimism on international trade relations among investors. Technology stocks led gains on the S&P 500, with shares of several chip-makers rising. The Philadelphia semiconductor index rose 2.7 percent. The S&P 500 gained 0.86 percent, to 2,736.61 and the Nasdaq Composite added 1.12 percent, to 7,586.43. Micron shares rose 2.6 percent after the company forecast only a small hit from a temporary ban on some sales in China.

In Bond Markets U.S. shorter-dated Treasury yields increased slightly on Thursday following the Federal Reserve’s release of the minutes from its latest policy meeting, where it hinted at the probability of raising short-term interest rates twice more in 2018. The U.S. yield curve held near its flattest level in about 11 years following the release of the minutes. The yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes was 2.838 percent, flat on the day.