(Bloomberg) — Asian stocks headed for early declines Friday after muted moves on Wall Street as traders awaited US jobs data that will help illuminate the path ahead for interest rates.Most Read from Bloomberg Citadel to Leave Namesake Chicago Tower as Employees Relocate State Farm Seeks Emergency California Rate Hike After Fires Transportation Memos Favor Places With Higher Birth and Marriage Rates NYC Sees Pedestrian Traffic Increase in Congestion-Pricing Zone How London’s Taxi Drivers Navigate the City Without GPS Equity futures for Australia, Hong Kong and Japan all fell, with the latter partly weighed by a stronger yen. The Japanese currency strengthened against the greenback for a fourth day to around 151 per dollar, the highest level since early December. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will meet with US President Donald Trump on Friday.The S&P 500 closed 0.4% higher, while the Nasdaq 100 added 0.5% on Thursday. Shares in Amazon.com Inc fell in after-hours trading following earnings results that showed projected profits for the current quarter below analysts’ estimates. The shortfall indicates the company continues to ramp up spending to support artificial intelligence services.Treasuries were slightly lower across the curve Thursday. An index of the dollar tracked against a basket of currencies was little changed.The moves signal a dose of calm ahead of nonfarm payroll figures due later Friday that will refocus traders away from the drama over tariffs earlier in the week that initially rattled financial markets.Friday’s jobs report is expected to show 175,000 new roles added to the US economy. A weak print could boost expectations for further Federal Reserve cuts, while a stronger-than-expected number may have the opposite effect.Separate jobs data released Thursday showed initial jobless claims picked up while labor productivity remained robust. In addition to the employment print Friday, Wall Street will be closely watching a revision to job growth. Economists predict that will be substantial, but probably not as bad as initially estimated.“Fridays’ jobs report is important for markets because if it’s Goldilocks, it’s going to help support the market amidst all this tariff and policy noise,” said Tom Essaye at The Sevens Report. “However, if it’s not Goldilocks, it’s going to add another headwind on risk assets and likely pressure stocks.”The British pound fell as the Bank of England lowered interest rates, with two officials supporting a 50-basis-point cut that prompted markets to boost bets on further easing. But the central bank also halved its growth forecast for this year to 0.75% and projected much stronger inflation than expected.Elsewhere, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated his view on a lower path for 10-year yields under the Trump administration. Bessent said there has been no “tinkering” with the Treasury department’s payment systems by Elon Musk’s government efficiency team an
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