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Market Review US: US stock market ended higher on Thursday after two days of declines, led by banks and chip stocks.

Asia: Asian markets traded mixed on Friday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.52%, and the Topix declined 0.57%. South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.26%, while the Kosdaq dropped 0.59% down. Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures indicated a higher opening.

India: Indian markets were closed yesterday on account of the Municipal elections in Maharashtra. Market is expected to open on a positive note and likely to witness positive move during the day.

Global economy: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had support from Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar in seeking a comprehensive demilitarization agreement with Palestinian group Hamas. Trump said he was backing the formation of a newly appointed Palestinian Technocratic Governmen to govern Gaza during its transition. The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday that any reengagement with Venezuela following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro would depend on member countries representing a majority of IMF voting power recognizing a successor government. The European Central Bank will not debate any rate change in the near term if the economy stays on course, but new shocks, like a potential deviation by the Federal Reserve from its mandate, could upset the outlook, ECB chief economist Philip Lane said.

Commodities: Oil prices were flat on Friday with both Brent and U.S. West Texas Intermediate moving only a few cents from their closing prices after the likelihood of a U.S. strike on Iran receded. Gold prices slipped to around $4,600 per ounce on Friday, extending Thursday’s modest losses amid reduced safe haven demand and fading expectations of a near-term interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve.

Currency: The dollar was poised for a third weekly gain on Friday after positive U.S. economic data lowered expectations for rate cuts by the Federal Reserve anytime soon.

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