Reuters

European stocks inched up in morning trading on Friday and were set to end the week at six-week highs, helped by an easing of fears over U.S tariffs and good company results.

The 10-year JGB yield slipped off a one-year high after the BOJ conducted special, unlimited buying for the second time this week.

Tokyo’s core CPI rose 0.8% in July but offered little comfort to the BOJ as it struggles to reach its elusive 2% target.

The dollar steadied as investors awaited U.S. economic growth data, which could give a fresh catalyst for direction.

Oil prices rose following an attack on two oil tankers and as trade tensions between the United States and the European Union eased.

The ECB reaffirmed that it will end its 2.6 trillion euro stimulus program this year, saying the risks from an unpredictable global trade conflict didn’t warrant any deviation from its plan.

Gold edged lower on Thursday in response to an easing of trade tensions after the U.S. agreed to refrain from imposing tariffs on cars from the European Union.

Euro zone bond yields rose on hopes that a trade war between the E.U. and the U.S. will be averted, supporting the ECB’s plans for a gradual withdrawal of monetary stimulus.

The pound struggled to gain ground against the dollar and the euro on Thursday due to mounting uncertainty over Brexit.

European stocks jumped on Thursday following a breakthrough in U.S.-EU trade talks, buoying shares in carmakers as the market also digested a flurry of company earnings reports.