• The US dollar strengthened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Friday, as traders shifted their attention to the monthly US jobs data later in the day for clues to the timing of next Fed interest rate hike.
The Labor Department releases US non-farm payrolls data for January at am ET. The economy is expected to add job jobs in January, following a gain of jobs in December. The unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged at in January.8:30175,000156,0004.7%
The greenback edged up to against the yen, from yesterday's closing value of On the upside, is seen as the next resistance level for the greenback.113.23112.79. 116.00
• China's central bank surprised financial markets on Friday by raising short-term interest rates on the first day back from a long holiday, in a further sign of a tightening policy bias as the economy shows signs of steadying.
The People's Bank of China (PBOC) raised the interest rate on open market operation reverse repurchase agreements (repos) by basis points, effective on Feb. 10 3.
• U.S. President Donald Trump is poised to impose new sanctions on multiple Iranian entities, seeking to ratchet up pressure on Tehran while crafting a broader strategy to counter what he sees as its destabilizing behavior, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
The sources said the new sanctions had been in the works for some time and that Iran's decision to test-fire a ballistic missile on Sunday helped trigger Trump's decision to impose them, although Washington has not accused Iran of violating the nuclear deal.
• Oil prices edged up on Friday on news that U.S. President Donald Trump could be set to impose new sanctions on multiple Iranian entities, firing geopolitical tensions between the two nations
Reuters reported on Thursday that Trump's administration is prepared to roll out new measures against more than two dozen Iranian targets following Tehran's ballistic missile test, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Brent crude futures had risen cents, or percent, to a barrel by GMT ( p.m. ET), after settling down cents at in the previous session.450.8$57.01035810:5834$56.56
Front month U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed 48 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $54.02 a barrel, after ending Thursday down 34 cents. For the week, the contract is up a little over 1 percent.
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