Reuters

The Canadian economy added fewer jobs than expected last month, with all the gains coming from the public sector, though the pace of wage growth was the fastest in more than a year, data from Statistics Canada showed on Friday.

Japan’s economy likely posted its equal second-best stretch of uninterrupted post-war growth, a government index for August showed on Friday, a nod to strong global demand and premier Shinzo Abe’s aggressive stimulus measures.

The dollar rose on Friday and is on track for its fourth consecutive week of gains as investors trimmed some short bets on growing views that interest rate markets are underpricing the extent of U.S. rate increases over the coming months.

Asian stocks rose on Friday and the dollar hit a seven-week peak, riding on economic optimism ahead of a U.S. job report later in the day.

The dollar touched a fresh seven-week high versus a basket of currencies on Friday, supported by hopes for progress on U.S. tax reforms, with traders looking to U.S. jobs data for near-term catalysts.

Canada’s trade deficit unexpectedly widened in August as exports fell for the third month in a row and imports remained flat, data from Statistics Canada showed on Thursday.

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, but Hurricanes Harvey and Irma continued to impact the data, making it difficult to get a clear picture of the labor market.

The U.S. trade deficit fell in August as exports of goods and services rose to the highest level in more than 2-1/2 years, suggesting trade could help to soften the blow on the economy from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

The Bank of Japan’s policies are finally nearing a “true dawn,” Deputy Governor Hiroshi Nakaso said on Thursday as he predicted a long-awaited build-up of inflation pressures in an economy long haunted by deflation.

Britain’s pound skidded half a percent to three-week lows against the dollar and euro on Thursday, as investors worried about Prime Minister Theresa May’s ability to cling onto power after a poorly-received speech the previous day.