• European equity index futures gained even as Asian stocks fell on Friday. Gold climbed to a fresh record and oil resumed gains as tensions in the Middle East simmered once again.
• Markets continue to digest a raft of news from US inflation data to the imminent start of earnings season for American companies. In addition, traders are watching how Iran might respond to a deadly attack on its diplomatic compound in Syria last week.
• European contracts rose 0.6%, while MSCI’s Asia-Pacific stocks index fell 0.3%. Gold hit a record near $2,400 an ounce. Brent crude rose above $90 a barrel amid the Middle East tensions, though the front-month contract remained on course for a weekly decline.