US Stock Futures Edge Up Before Jobs as Oil Rises – Europe Market Wrap

Prior to important US jobs data that could provide insight into the direction of interest rates, US equities futures showed some minor advances. As traders followed the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, oil prices continued their upward trend.

S&P 500 contract prices increased by 0.3%. Treasury bonds held firm following their sell-off on Thursday, and a measure of the strength of the dollar was poised to record its largest weekly gain in almost six months as expectations of the Federal Reserve’s aggressive monetary policy easing eased.

Investors monitor global developments closely, but they also evaluate the most recent indications on the state of the US economy. September payrolls are predicted to have increased in Friday’s jobs report, while the unemployment rate is predicted to remain unchanged at 4.2%.