US equities ended Friday on a firm footing as a softer-than-expected US employment report lifted risk appetite and reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve may hold interest rates steady in the months ahead. Treasury yields initially fell after the release but ultimately finished the session higher, while the dollar weakened modestly against major counterparts. Oil prices declined after European nations agreed to release strategic diesel reserves to ease fuel-price pressures, and gold also moved lower as higher Treasury yields weighed on the metal. The trading week is expected to begin quietly, with Australian and Chinese market holidays likely to thin Asian-session liquidity before US ISM Services PMI data at 1.00 am AEST.
📊 Equities
US equities finished the week strongly on Friday after a softer-than-expected US employment report supported risk sentiment. The Dow rose 0.49%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.73% and the Nasdaq advanced 1.19%.
🛢️ Oil
Oil prices moved lower after European nations agreed to release strategic diesel reserves in an effort to ease fuel-price pressures. Brent crude fell 1.90%, while WTI edged down 0.06%.
🥇 Gold
Gold declined 0.85% to $4,142.34, retreating towards key support levels as higher Treasury yields continued to weigh on the precious metal.
💵 FX & Bonds
Treasury yields initially moved lower after the US employment report but closed the session higher. The dollar weakened modestly against major counterparts, with the US dollar index down 0.12%.
| Market | Change | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Dow | +0.49% | 51,176 |
| S&P 500 | +0.73% | 7,722 |
| Nasdaq | +1.19% | 27,190 |
| USD | -0.12% | 101.92 |
| US Treasury – 2 Year | +3.4 bps | 4.825% |
| US Treasury – 10 Year | +3.2 bps | 5.273% |
| Oil – Brent | -1.90% | $91.11 |
| Oil – WTI | -0.06% | $102.25 |
| Gold | -0.85% | $4,142.34 |
📌 Today’s Focus
The start of the trading week is expected to be relatively quiet. Liquidity conditions may be thinner during the Asian session as Australian and Chinese markets are closed for public holidays, before attention shifts to US ISM Services PMI data.
🔹 Asian Session – All Day – Australia – Bank Holiday
🔹 Asian Session – All Day – China – Bank Holiday
🔹 US Session – 1.00 am – US – ISM Services PMI