Stock futures in Europe and the US fell overnight (Eurostoxx 50 futures down 0.4%, S&P 500 futures down 0.2%), while Asian equities advanced. This followed the release of initial jobless claims data in the US, which came in at the lowest value since May, indicating a healthy job market and reinforcing expectations of a soft landing in the US.
The BOJ indicated that it remains on a path toward hiking rates, despite holding rates steady in a meeting overnight, with USD/JPY currently at 142.1.
Elsewhere, China is considering removing some of the largest remaining barriers to home purchases, after previous measures failed to revive the slumping housing market.
In commodities, gold has steadied near a record high (currently at $2,593.83/oz), and oil was on track for the biggest weekly advance since February following the Fed rate cut, before a slight dip (WTI currently at $71.80/barrel).
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