- In economic data, Japan's Q2 CAPEX exceeded analyst expectations, but declined for the 9th consecutive quarter ((JP) JAPAN Q2 CAPITAL SPENDING: -21.7% V -23%E; EX-SOFTWARE: -22.2% V -27.5%E). In terms of the components of the data, investment by manufacturing firms declined by 32% y/y. The better than expected data could mean that Japan's preliminary Q2 GDP data may be revised.

- In forex, most of the major currency pairs have been range bound ahead of the US nonfarm payrolls report and the weekly close of Chinese equities. USD/JPY has traded in a tight range around 92.50, while EUR/USD has not moved too far away from 1.4250. AUD/USD has traded near 0.8400 for most of the session and the NZD/USD has tested $0.6800. In other currency pairs, AUD/NZD has lost more than 0.20% and NZD/JPY is higher by more than 0.30%.

- Asian equities are trading mixed ahead of the release of US employment data. The Nikkei 225 is lower by more than 0.10%, led by financials and basic materials companies. The Shanghai Composite ended the morning session higher by more than 0.15%, as the index fluctuated between gains and losses. The earlier gains in China were led by health care and technology firms. Australia's S&P ASX 200 is higher by more than 0.10%, but off of the session's highs. The gains in Australian financials are being countered by declines in mining shares and utilities. Taiwan's Taiex is gaining by more than 0.40%, led by financials and technology companies. The Kospi has declined by more than 0.20% on losses in shares of technology companies and consumer goods firms. As of the time of writing, the Hang Seng is higher on advances in technology and basic materials companies. However, only 3 out of the Hang Seng's 9 sectors are currently in positive territory.

- Crude oil prices are higher and trading above $68/bbl, but overall prices have traded in a tight range ahead of the US jobs report. Spot Gold is lower by more than 0.15%, after the metal rallied to a 6-month high just below $1000/oz on the NY COMEX session. The earlier move higher in gold prices came as the SPDR Gold Trust ETF increased its holdings by 14.7 metric tons as of Sept 3 to 1,078 tons. During the prior session, the ETF increased its gold holdings by 1.5 metric tons.
(Note: All quotes are as of 00:42 EST)