Equity-index futures pointed to modest declines in Japan, Hong Kong and Australia after renewed geopolitical tensions hit stocks and bonds and revived inflation worries ahead of the US jobs report.
Asian stocks were poised to edge lower Friday as concern over Iran and a broader resurgence in geopolitical tensions unsettled global markets. The move pushed equities and bonds lower, sent oil higher and renewed inflation worries ahead of the US jobs report. Equity-index futures indicated modest declines in Japan, Hong Kong and Australia, while South Korea's contracts edged higher. In the United States, equity futures were little changed after the S&P 500 fell 0.2% on Thursday, leaving the benchmark on course for a second consecutive decline, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 dropped 0.4%.