The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, pointing to underlying strength in the labor market.

The number of Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits was higher than anticipated last week, although the figure declined compared to the prior period.

Oil prices rose in Asian trading hours on Friday, with global benchmark Brent set for its first weekly increase in three weeks on signs of improving global demand and slowing inflation in top oil consumer the United States.

The dollar headed for its largest weekly fall versus the euro in two-and-a-half months on Friday as signs of cooling inflation and a softening U.S. economy raised the prospect of rate cuts.

Indonesia posted a slightly bigger-than-expected trade surplus in April of $3.56 billion, as the country saw smaller-than-estimated imports, statistics bureau data showed on Wednesday.

The Japanese economy shrank more than expected in the first quarter of 2024, hit chiefly by a slowdown in consumer spending amid sticky inflation and sluggish wages, while capital spending also slowed.