Investors will be hoping for better-than-expected jobs numbers when report is issued before open.
November 7, 2003: 5:25 AM EST
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - The employment picture for October will get investors' attention Friday, with many observers hoping that there's a surprise in the offing after some strong economic reports in recent weeks.
At 5:20 a.m. ET, futures pointed to a mixed start for the major index, but that's subject to change once the jobs report is issued at 8:30 a.m. ET.
That report is expected to show the unemployment rate holding at 6.1 percent, with 65,000 non-farm jobs created, according to a consensus of economists surveyed by Briefing.com. But some economists think the number may be higher, particularly in light of the sharp drop in jobless claims last week to a 34-month low.
Also due after the opening bell Friday is the September report on wholesale inventories. That's forecast to show a 0.2 percent rise after a 0.2 percent decline in August.
The Dow Jones industrial average came up with a 0.4 percent increase Thursday after the jobless claims report; for the week to date, the index is up nearly 56 points. The Nasdaq composite index was almost 0.9 percent higher following the better-than-expected earnings from Cisco Systems; the tech-led index is 44 points higher for the week and is within 24 points of 2,000.
Asian-Pacific stocks ended higher, with Tokyo's Nikkei index up 0.7 percent. European markets rose in early trading. (Check the latest on world markets)
Among U.S. stocks trading in Europe, Microsoft was slightly lower. The software maker said Thursday it has agreed to pay $89 million to North Carolina consumers to settle a suit alleging it overcharged for Windows and other software.
Treasury prices were little changed in advance of the employment report, with the 10-year note yield holding at 4.41 percent. The dollar eased against the yen and euro.
Brent oil futures rallied 28 cents to $28.41 a barrel in London. Gold declined.
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