Benzinga | Dec 07, 2012 07:09AM ET
U.S. equity futures fell in pre-market trading ahead of the monthly Employment Situation Report. In addition, fears over the lack of a budget deal in the U.S. kept fear high and comments from ECB President Mario Draghi indicate the Bank is less open to rate cuts than previously thought.
Top News
In other news around the markets:
Asian shares were mixed overnight as a strong, 7.3 magnitude earthquake rocked Japan sending shares lower. The Japanese Nikkei Index fell 0.19 percent and the Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.6 percent while the Hang Seng Index fell 0.26 percent. In addition, the Korean Kospi rose 0.4 percent and Australian shares rose 0.94 percent.
European Markets
European shares were lower in early Friday trading as growth fears spooked investors sending shares lower. The Spanish Ibex Index fell 0.62 percent and the Italian MIB Index slipped 0.82 percent. Meanwhile, the German DAX fell 0.08 percent and the French CAC slid 0.06 percent while U.K. shares fell 0.1 percent.
Commodities
Commodities were mostly lower in early trade weighed down by global growth fears. WTI Crude futures fell 0.12 percent to $86.16 per barrel and Brent Crude futures rose 0.19 percent to $107.23 per barrel. Copper futures did rise 0.04 percent to $364.60 per pound as strength in Australia and China overnight buoyed the red metal. Gold was lower and silver futures fell 0.48 percent to $32.96 per ounce.
Currencies
The dollar reigned in currency market overnight against most pairs save for the yen in a clear risk-off tone in forex markets. The EUR/USD was lower at 1.2929 and the dollar fell against the yen to 82.37. Overall, the Dollar Index rose to 80.419 on notable strength against the euro, the Swiss franc, and the Swedish krone. In addition, the Aussie dollar was weaker against the greenback and the yen but still rose against the euro in overnight trade.
Pre-Market Movers
Stocks moving in the pre-market included:
On the economics calendar Friday, it's the first Friday of the month and that means it's Nonfarm Payrolls day. By the numbers:
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