United News of Bangladesh

Stock markets mostly advanced in Europe and Asia on Friday, while oil prices fell after recent gains. US stock futures also edged higher following an unsettled session on Wall Street. In early European trading, Germany’s DAX rose 0.7% to 24,975.62, France’s CAC 40 gained 0.8% to 7,789.91, and Britain’s FTSE 100 advanced 0.7% to 10,515.43. Futures for the S&P 500 climbed 0.4%, while those for the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1%. In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 closed almost unchanged at 69,030.92. The Shanghai Composite edged up 0.1%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng jumped 1.6% to 24,152.44. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.6% to 8,716.60, and India’s Sensex rose 1.2%. Markets in South Korea and Taiwan remained closed. China is scheduled to publish its latest economic growth figures next week. US stocks fluctuated on Thursday as oil prices climbed and bond yields surged before easing later in the day. The S&P 500 fell 0.5%, marking its second consecutive loss after reaching a record high a day earlier. The Dow rose 0.1%, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.3%, with technology stocks suffering the biggest losses. Brent crude, the international benchmark, surged 4.1% to $104.28 a barrel. Prices have fluctuated between $96 and nearly $110 over the past month amid uncertainty over when the war with Iran will allow global energy supplies to return to normal. Brent approached $106 a barrel on Thursday morning before retreating after US President Donald Trump said “productive discussions” were taking place with Iran. He also said the US military would not attack Iran before the November US elections. Early Friday, Brent fell 1% to $103.28 a barrel, while US benchmark crude declined 0.8% to $90.75. Bond yields have remained near their highest levels in years or decades, raising concerns about a potential slowdown in economic activity. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury initially climbed to 5.35% on Thursday before falling to 5.23%. Yields eased after the US government sold $22 billion in 30-year Treasury bonds at an auction with a yield below 5.62%. The 30-year Treasury yield subsequently fell to 5.60% from 5.73% earlier in the morning. The US federal budget deficit, which approached $2 trillion in the fiscal year ending September 30, has also weighed on markets amid concerns over rising government debt. Among individual stocks, PepsiCo gained 3.7% after reporting quarterly revenue and profits that exceeded analysts’ expectations. However, losses among major technology companies offset those gains. Nvidia, the world’s largest publicly traded company by market value, fell 2.9%, making it the biggest drag on the S&P 500. Broadcom dropped 4.3%, while Micron Technology declined 4.8%. Artificial intelligence-related stocks face growing pressure to deliver strong growth to justify their high valuations following the sector’s recent surge. “What was once a broad, buy-anything-with-an-AI-label momentum trade is becoming a much tougher contest between balance-sheet strength and ambition,” said Steven Innes of SPI Asset Management. In currency trading early Friday, the US dollar rose to 158.37 Japanese yen from 157.89 yen. The euro traded at $1.1228, up from $1.1211.

Asian stocks declined Thursday as rising bond yields and higher oil prices weighed on markets, following a retreat on Wall Street from recent record highs. US stock futures were mixed in early trading. Asian markets came under renewed pressure from higher bond yields. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury remained close to a multi-decade high after minutes from the US Federal Reserve's latest meeting, released Wednesday, showed that most policymakers expect another interest rate increase this year. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.9% to 69,438.77, while South Korea's Kospi dropped 0.8% to 6,750.25. Hong Kong's Hang Seng declined 0.2% to 24,072.98, and the Shanghai Composite edged down 0.1% to 3,840.03. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.6% to 8,677.20, while Taiwan's Taiex fell 0.7%. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 declined 0.2% Wednesday, a day after reaching a record high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.7%, while the technology-focused Nasdaq composite slipped 0.2% from its record. US inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target. In September, the central bank raised its key interest rate by 0.25 percentage point for the first time in three years, bringing the target range to 3.75%-4%. Higher bond yields can weigh on stocks as they increase borrowing costs for businesses and consumers. US Treasury yields have climbed amid a global energy shock linked to the Iran war, while growing US government debt has also added pressure. The 10-year Treasury yield stood around 5.31% Thursday after reaching 5.36% Wednesday, its highest level since 2002. Oil prices also rose amid uncertainty over global supplies. The US and Iran have yet to reach an agreement to end their war. The Atlantic reported Wednesday, citing two unnamed officials, that the White House had asked the Pentagon to prepare strike options against Iran before the November midterm elections. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 2.2% to $102.43 a barrel early Thursday. US benchmark crude gained 1.9% to $89.96. The International Energy Agency said Wednesday that its members support accelerating releases of oil from strategic inventories. The US dollar rose to 158.20 Japanese yen from 158.08 yen. The euro edged up to $1.1198 from $1.1197 as higher French bond yields and concerns over the country's government debt put pressure on the currency.

Asian stocks traded mixed Monday as oil prices moved higher after a decline last week helped U.S. shares finish their first positive week in three. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 was nearly unchanged, slipping less than 0.1% to 66,333.53. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.3% to 8,688.60, while South Korea’s Kospi fell 2.3% to 6,916.30. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.7% to 24,684.09, while the Shanghai Composite declined 1.7% to 3,820.82. In energy trading, U.S. benchmark crude rose 1% to $93.33 a barrel, while Brent crude, the international benchmark, climbed 1.8% to $106.19 a barrel. Brent had briefly fallen to the $97 range last week. Oil prices remain volatile amid uncertainty over when the war with Iran will allow oil supplies from the Middle East to move more freely, including through the Strait of Hormuz. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 gained 0.5%, ending a three-day decline marked by sharp swings as bond yields increased. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 478 points, or 0.9%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.5%. Rising expectations of higher U.S. inflation weighed on markets last week. Investors are concerned that persistent inflation expectations could influence economic behavior and contribute to further increases in living costs. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note briefly rose to 5.22% Friday from 5.18% late Thursday, approaching its highest level since 2007. Higher yields can slow economic activity by increasing borrowing costs and can also reduce the appeal of stocks and other investments. The 10-year yield has risen sharply since the start of the war with Iran, when it stood at 3.97%. However, yields eased later Friday as oil prices declined, with the 10-year yield falling back to 5.15%. The move helped U.S. stocks recover. The S&P 500 rose 39.28 points to 7,743.41. The Dow gained 478.64 points to 51,828.62, while the Nasdaq composite advanced 129.34 points to 27,068.72. In Asian currency trading Monday, the U.S. dollar rose to 157.76 Japanese yen from 157.19 yen. The euro was trading at $1.1392, little changed from $1.1393.

Asian shares traded mixed in early Thursday trading as investors assessed recent movements in oil prices and the US bond market, while also watching currency fluctuations. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 1.3% to 65,883.41 in morning trading, helped by gains among some chipmakers amid continued interest in artificial intelligence. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.7% to 8,700.50. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 0.5% to 24,715.95, while the Shanghai Composite slipped 0.8% to 3,902.33. South Korean markets were closed for the Chuseok autumn harvest holiday. In energy trading, US benchmark crude fell 0.82% to $91.40 a barrel, while Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped 0.83% to $102.22 a barrel. Brent prices remain well above the roughly $72 a barrel recorded before the war with Iran began. Investors remain concerned that the conflict could disrupt oil supplies in the Middle East for an extended period. Talks between US and Iranian officials are continuing through mediators, but no concrete agreement has emerged so far. US bond yields pressure Wall StreetWall Street came under pressure Wednesday as a stronger-than-expected economic report raised fresh concerns about inflation and pushed US Treasury yields higher. The S&P 500 fell 0.8%, after ending the previous session just 0.4% below its record high set last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 352 points, or 0.7%, while the Nasdaq composite fell 1.1% from its record level. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury rose to 5.10% from 4.96%, a significant move in the bond market. Higher bond yields can weigh on stocks and other investments while also making borrowing more expensive, which can slow economic activity. The 10-year yield briefly reached nearly 5.14% on Wednesday, returning to levels last seen in 2007, before the global financial crisis sent borrowing costs sharply lower. Yields have risen in recent weeks amid concerns about persistent inflation, the US government's large debt burden and other economic risks. Inflation worries intensified after a preliminary report indicated that US business activity had grown at its fastest pace in more than five years. US inflation has remained elevated, prompting the Federal Reserve to raise its short-term interest rate last week for the first time in three years. Fed Gov. Michael Barr said in a speech this week that further rate increases “are likely to be needed” to bring inflation down to the central bank's 2% target. Yen remains weakThe Bank of Japan recently raised its benchmark interest rate in an effort to support the Japanese yen. However, the move had largely been expected by investors, limiting its impact on the currency. A weaker yen puts additional pressure on Japan because the country relies heavily on imported oil, particularly when global energy prices are high. In currency trading, the US dollar slipped to 157.94 yen from 158.30 yen. The euro was little changed at $1.1382, compared with $1.1388. In US markets, the S&P 500 fell 58.61 points to 7,706.03. The Dow dropped 352.10 points to 51,511.59, while the Nasdaq composite declined 308.24 points to 26,936.04.

Oil prices edged lower on Thursday after rising sharply earlier in the week amid renewed fighting between the United States and Iran, while Asian stock markets mostly gained, tracking an upbeat performance on Wall Street. Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell 0.4% to $95.26 a barrel. U.S. crude slipped 0.1% to $90.84 per barrel. U.S. futures also moved slightly higher. Oil prices had surged earlier this week as renewed conflict between the U.S. and Iran raised concerns over possible disruptions to energy supplies. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he did not expect the U.S. bombing campaign to continue for “much longer.” In Asian trading, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.2% to 64,455.83. SoftBank Group gained 2.9%, while Kioxia Holdings added 0.6% and Tokyo Electron rose 0.8%. South Korea’s Kospi jumped 1.4% to 6,656.81, with Samsung Electronics gaining 1.3% and SK Hynix rising 1.4%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index edged up 0.1%, while the Shanghai Composite gained 0.4%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.5%, Taiwan’s Taiex gained 0.6%, and India’s Sensex added 0.3%. The gains followed a positive session on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 rose 0.5% on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.6%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.5%. Investors were encouraged by positive signs of continued demand for artificial intelligence, which has been a major force behind this year’s stock market rally. Dell Technologies surged 15.8% after reporting strong quarterly earnings. Nvidia gained 3.2%, Meta Platforms rose 2.5%, and Micron Technology added 2.4%. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury fell to 4.77% from above 4.81% early Wednesday. Global bond markets had come under pressure amid concerns over inflation, rising energy prices linked to the Iran conflict and growing U.S. government debt. Investors are now awaiting the U.S. employment report for August, due Friday. In currency trading, the Japanese yen strengthened against the U.S. dollar. The dollar fell to 157.78 yen from 158.71 yen late Wednesday after climbing above 160 yen earlier in the week, fueling expectations that Japanese authorities could intervene to support the currency. The euro rose slightly to $1.1598 from $1.1588.

Global markets were mixed Monday, while oil prices surged after US forces struck Iranian rocket launchers near the Strait of Hormuz, reviving concerns over renewed conflict in the Middle East. In early European trading, Germany's DAX fell 0.9% to 26,339.04, while France's CAC 40 slipped 0.1% to 8,390.43. British markets were closed for a bank holiday. US futures for the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average each fell 0.2%. Brent crude jumped 3.8% to $91.40 a barrel, while US benchmark crude gained 3.8% to $86.58. Asian markets were mixed after Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh's comments reinforced expectations that the central bank could raise interest rates to control inflation. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 slipped 0.1%, while South Korea's Kospi gained 0.5%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.1%, while Shanghai's Composite Index rose 0.9%. An official survey showed China's factory activity remained in contraction for a second straight month in August, despite slight improvements in production and new export orders. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.2%, while Taiwan's Taiex and India's Sensex each declined 0.4%. On Friday, Wall Street ended lower, with the S&P 500 down 0.2%, the Dow slightly lower and the Nasdaq falling 0.5%. The two-year US Treasury yield rose to 4.35% from 4.22% before Warsh's Jackson Hole speech. The dollar fell against the yen, while the euro gained against the US currency.

Asian shares fell Wednesday as technology stocks came under pressure and rising oil prices added to concerns about inflation and interest rates. South Korea’s Kospi led the regional decline, dropping 5.7% to 6,487.34. Samsung Electronics fell 7.5%, while SK Hynix, a major memory chipmaker, lost 8.8%. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 dropped 3.2% to 65,332.04 as investors sold technology shares and worried about rising bond yields. The yield on Japan’s 10-year government bonds has remained near a three-decade high of more than 2.9%. Investors expect the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates as it tries to control inflation. China’s Shanghai Composite fell 2.2% to 3,903.61. Shares of humanoid robot maker Unitree initially surged nearly 630% in its debut on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s STAR Market. The company raised about $900 million through its initial public offering. However, shares of UBTech, another major Chinese humanoid robot maker listed in Hong Kong, fell 10.6%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index edged down less than 0.1% to 25,460.46. Taiwan’s Taiex lost 1.7%, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.2% to 9,053. Oil prices also weighed on investor sentiment amid uncertainty over whether the United States and Iran can reach an agreement that would allow oil tankers to move freely out of the Persian Gulf. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 0.6% to $91.57 a barrel, while U.S. benchmark crude gained 0.7% to $84.66. Wall Street also ended lower Tuesday, with the S&P 500 falling 0.7% for its third consecutive loss. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite dropped 1.3%. Technology companies that benefited strongly from the artificial intelligence boom led the decline. Investors have become concerned that some AI-related stocks may be overpriced and that demand for chips, memory and other equipment used in data centers could weaken if AI businesses fail to deliver the expected profits. Micron Technology fell 7%, while Nvidia declined 2.3% and Broadcom dropped 3.2%. Despite recent losses, these companies remain among the biggest winners of the AI boom. Micron’s shares, for example, have more than tripled this year. Rising bond yields have also worried investors. Higher oil prices are increasing inflation pressure, while governments are facing large debt burdens and higher borrowing costs. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury fell slightly to 4.70% from 4.72% late Monday but remained well above the 3.97% level recorded before the war with Iran began. The 30-year Treasury yield also edged lower but stayed close to its highest level since 2007. Higher bond yields can make investors less willing to pay high prices for stocks, especially expensive technology shares. They have also pushed the average U.S. mortgage rate close to its highest level in a year, putting pressure on the housing market. A report Tuesday showed that U.S. homebuilders started fewer new homes last month than economists had expected. Higher borrowing costs could also discourage major technology companies from taking on debt to finance new data centers, potentially slowing an important source of growth for the U.S. economy. In early trading Wednesday, the U.S. dollar fell to 159.26 Japanese yen from 159.61 yen. The euro rose to $1.1582 from $1.1577.

Oil prices remained largely unchanged Tuesday after rising 5% in the previous session, as uncertainty continued over when the Strait of Hormuz might reopen and allow crude shipments to resume normally. US stock futures edged higher in early trading. Brent crude was unchanged at $87.72 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate also remained flat at $82.13 a barrel. Brent prices jumped 5% Monday after fluctuating sharply in recent weeks amid uncertainty over whether the United States and Iran could reach an agreement that would allow oil tankers to leave the Middle East freely and supply global markets. Asian stock markets were mixed Tuesday after US shares moved lower from their recent record highs. South Korea's Kospi rose 1.5% to 6,391.71, helped by a 4.6% gain in Samsung Electronics shares. Chipmaker SK Hynix also advanced 1.3%. Tokyo markets remained closed for a public holiday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.6% to 25,773.56, while the Shanghai Composite slipped 0.1% to 3,964.79. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.5% to 9,277 after the Reserve Bank of Australia kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4.35%. Taiwan's Taiex rose 0.4%, while India's Sensex declined 0.4%. On Wall Street Monday, the S&P 500 fell 0.1% from Friday's record high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also lost 0.1%, while the Nasdaq composite declined 0.3%. The strong US stock market rally has recently slowed despite robust corporate earnings. According to FactSet, earnings per share for S&P 500 companies are expected to have risen about 50% in the spring from a year earlier. If confirmed, it would mark the strongest growth in five years. Berkshire Hathaway rose 1.5% after reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly profit. The company, which is known for investing in stocks it considers attractively priced, also said it had invested part of its large cash reserves in stocks under new CEO Greg Abel. MarineMax surged 46.1% after the retailer and marina operator agreed to be acquired for about $1.5 billion in cash by a Blackstone portfolio company. Varex Imaging jumped 48.8% after Teledyne Technologies announced plans to acquire the X-ray imaging components maker for $18.90 per share in cash. Intel shares, however, fell 4.1% after the company said it could sell up to $15 billion worth of stock. The move could reduce existing shareholders' ownership stakes, while the company said the proceeds would likely be used to invest in artificial intelligence technology. Investors are now focusing on Wednesday's US inflation report for July. Economists expect annual inflation to ease to 3.4% from 3.5% in June, which could reduce pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates. Higher interest rates can help control inflation but may also slow economic growth by increasing borrowing costs for households and businesses. They can also put pressure on stock and other investment prices. In currency trading early Tuesday, the US dollar slipped to 159.19 Japanese yen from 159.30 yen. The dollar has continued to strengthen against the yen despite recent intervention by Japan and the US aimed at supporting the Japanese currency. The euro was unchanged at $1.1544. Gold, which is often considered a safe-haven asset during periods of uncertainty, rose 1.2% to $4,472.90 an ounce.

Asian shares were mixed on Monday after US stocks ended last week higher, with Japan's Nikkei 225 leading gains. Oil prices also rose amid concerns over tensions in the Middle East and threats to key shipping routes. US stock futures were little changed. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rose 2% to 66,890.02, helped by strong gains in technology stocks. Tokyo Electron, which makes equipment for chip production, gained 3.5%, while chip-testing equipment maker Advantest jumped 4.9%. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.8% to 6,305.86, although major chipmakers fell. Samsung Electronics dropped 0.9% and SK Hynix declined 1.3%. Analysts said some foreign investors were selling shares in major technology companies to take profits after recent gains and shift money into other sectors, including defense companies. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 0.6% to 25,810.95, while China's Shanghai Composite was almost unchanged at 3,941.48. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.4% to 9,231.00. Taiwan's Taiex rose 1.8%, while India's Sensex gained 0.1%. Oil prices climbed amid renewed concerns over the Middle East. Israel rejected a Gaza deal announced by US President Donald Trump, while details also emerged about a possible agreement between Iran and Oman concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has suggested that vessels linked to countries it considers hostile could be barred from using the strategic waterway. Meanwhile, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked a government-controlled port on the country's Red Sea coast, raising further concerns about the safety of shipping routes and the possibility of renewed conflict in Yemen. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 0.6% to $84.04 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude gained 0.5% to $78.58 a barrel. Wall Street ends week higherUS stocks gained on Friday after government data showed employers unexpectedly cut 23,000 jobs last month. The weaker jobs figures raised expectations that the Federal Reserve could delay raising interest rates as it tries to control inflation. The news helped push all three major US indexes to their second consecutive weekly gains, with the S&P 500 reaching another record high. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to 7,757.64, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.3% to 54,036.93. The Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.3% to 26,690.62. The jobs report also raised concerns about household spending as inflation remains high. The government revised its figures for May and June, reducing the combined number of jobs reported for those months by 103,000. Slower job growth makes it more difficult for the Federal Reserve to balance supporting employment with controlling inflation. Higher interest rates can reduce inflation by slowing economic activity, but they can also make borrowing more expensive for businesses. Technology companies again led the gains. Nvidia rose 2.3%, while Broadcom gained 1.7%. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note fell to 4.64% from 4.67% before the jobs report. The two-year Treasury yield, which is more closely linked to expectations for Federal Reserve policy, dropped to 4.20% from 4.22%. Inflation data in focusInvestors will closely watch several inflation reports this week, particularly the consumer price index (CPI). US consumer inflation is expected to have risen 3.4% in July, slightly slower than the 3.5% increase recorded in June. Inflation has remained above 3% for most of the year. In early Monday trading, the US dollar rose to 158.37 Japanese yen from 157.71 yen. The euro fell to $1.1553 from $1.1568.

Asian stocks were mixed on Friday after US shares pulled back in the previous session, while oil prices climbed more than 1% amid continued uncertainty over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.3% to 65,500.10, while South Korea's Kospi declined 0.8% to 6,242.88. Taiwan's Taiex also dropped 0.4%. In contrast, China's Shanghai Composite rose 0.8% to 3,931.54 after the country reported that exports increased by around 24% in July. Although growth slowed slightly, demand remained strong for electronics and other high-tech products. China's trade surplus narrowed during the month, while imports also eased. Hong Kong's Hang Seng edged up 0.2% to 25,582.34, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped less than 0.1% to 9,265.20. On Wall Street, stocks fell Thursday as higher oil prices and a stream of corporate earnings weighed on investors. The S&P 500 declined 0.2%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.9% and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.1%. Brent crude jumped nearly 4% Thursday as uncertainty continued over efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil supplies. Iran has said it is nearing an agreement with Oman on reopening the strategic waterway, while US President Donald Trump has also previously indicated that a deal could be close. However, negotiations have faced repeated setbacks over the past five months. A reopening could require a compromise, as the Trump administration has rejected any Iranian plan to charge fees to ships. Iran, meanwhile, has insisted on retaining some control over the waterway. Early Friday, Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 1.6% to $83.78 a barrel, while US benchmark crude gained 1.2% to $78.22. About one-fifth of the world's traded oil and natural gas previously passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices have climbed as high as $113 a barrel during the conflict, increasing inflationary pressure by raising fuel and shipping costs. Markets remain concerned about the war and the possibility of an investment bubble linked to artificial intelligence. However, stronger-than-expected corporate earnings have eased some worries that US stocks may be overvalued. About 85% of S&P 500 companies have reported their latest earnings, with overall profit growth on track to be the strongest since 2021. Warner Bros. Discovery gained 1.7% after posting better-than-expected earnings, while Molson Coors rose 1.3% following encouraging results. Honeywell Aerospace was among the biggest losers, falling 23.2% after its results came in well below expectations. Digital advertising company AppLovin dropped 19.7% after reporting mixed quarterly results. Meanwhile, SpaceX shares rose 6.1% after a lockup period expired Thursday, making more than 911 million shares held by early investors and employees eligible for sale. That figure is more than twice the number of shares initially offered to the public in the company's initial public offering. SpaceX shares climbed as high as $225 following its market debut in June but have since fallen below the initial offering price of $135. The stock was trading around $115. Investors are also awaiting the US monthly jobs report for July, due Friday. The US labour market remains relatively strong, although hiring growth has slowed. A weekly report released Thursday showed applications for unemployment benefits increased last week, though layoffs remained at historically low levels seen in recent years. Employers added only 57,000 jobs in June. In early Friday trading, the US dollar slipped to 158.35 Japanese yen from 158.42 yen, while the euro was unchanged at $1.1524.