Asian stocks edge up before U.S. jobs data, defying Wall Street selloff

Asian equities gained on Friday while the dollar hovered near a one-month high as investors braced for crucial U.S. jobs data later in the day that should provide clues on how aggressive the Federal Reserve will be in tightening policy.

Oil prices extend gains on lower U.S. fuel inventories

Oil prices rose around 1% on Friday, extending gains from the previous trading session after data showed lower fuel inventories following a winter storm that hit the United States at the year end. Brent crude futures last gained 79 cents, or 1%, to $79.48 a barrel at 0203 GMT, after settling up 85 cents at $78.69 on Thursday.

SGX Nifty signals a negative start

Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange traded 31.5 points, or 0.17 per cent, lower at 18,033.50, signaling that Dalal Street was headed for a negative start on Friday.

Tech View: Nifty charts show bears in control

As Nifty ended below the psychological 18000-mark, the headline equity index on Thursday formed a bearish candle on the daily charts with a long lower shadow, indicating that downside continuation pattern but buying at lower levels.

Tokyo markets flat in cautious early trade

Tokyo stocks opened nearly flat Friday in cautious trade after falls on Wall Street, where better-than-expected jobs data reinforced concerns that the Federal Reserve will pursue more interest rate hikes.

Wall Street drops more than 1% with jobs data feeding fears of more Fed tightening

Wall Street's main indexes lost more than 1% on Thursday, with Nasdaq leading the declines, as ev...