European and US stock futures fell even as Asian stocks climbed after jobs data reinforced expectations of a soft landing for the American economy.
The focus is now on Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda’s briefing later Friday after the authority maintained interest rates.
The Euro Stoxx 50 contract dropped 0.4% while S&P 500 futures lost 0.2%. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose as equities in Japan and South Korea advanced, while mainland Chinese shares slipped.
A gauge of global stocks set a fresh peak Thursday. The BOJ raised its assessment of consumer spending and reiterated that it expects price growth to be in line with its goal in the latter half of its projection period, an indication it remains on a path toward hiking rates.
Data released earlier showed the nation’s key inflation gauge accelerated in August for a fourth consecutive month.
“The focus now shifts to Governor Ueda’s press conference,” said Shoki Omori, chief desk strategist at Mizuho in Tokyo. “Depending on the degree of this tone, if the hawkish stance is clearly conveyed to the market, the USD/JPY exchange rate is expected to trend downward.”
