BANGKOK — Stock markets were mostly higher Friday ahead of the release of U.S. jobs data, which is expected to show companies still hiring at a brisk pace in the world’s largest economy.
KEEPING SCORE: Germany’s DAX added 0.4 percent to 12,598 and the CAC 40 in France edged up 0.3 percent to 5,476. Britain’s FTSE 100 gained 0.7 percent to 7,627. Dow and S&P 500 futures were flat, auguring a slow start on Wall Street.
ASIA’S DAY: Japan’s Nikkei 225 added less than 0.1 percent to 22,525.18 and the Shanghai Composite index lost 1.0 percent to 2,740.44. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index gave up 0.2 percent to 27,650.83 and Australia’s S&P ASX 200 edged 0.1 percent lower to 6,234.80. South Korea’s Kospi added 0.8 percent to 2,287.68.
US JOBS: Optimistic employers likely continued to add jobs in July at a strong rate thanks to strong growth and consumer spending. Economists forecast that the monthly report to be released Friday will show an increase of 191,000 jobs last month, down from 213,000 in June but easily enough to lower the unemployment rate over time. The jobless rate is projected to decline to 3.9 percent, near an 18-year low, from 4 percent. (AP)