• Equities in Asia headed for a mixed open Friday in a sign investors are rethinking the optimism that propelled the region’s shares higher in the prior session, as fresh signs of persistent inflation appeared in the US.
• Shares in Australia were little changed while futures for Japanese stocks rose, and contracts for Hong Kong fell. The moves followed a sharp rally for a gauge of the region’s shares, which touched the highest level in almost two years.
• The S&P 500 rose 0.3% to a fresh high Thursday — its 20th of the year — led by gains in industrials and banks. Reddit Inc. shares soared 48% on their debut. Other tech stocks faltered, with Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc. falling against the backdrop of heightened regulatory pressure.