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U.S. stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Friday as traders eyed the release of key employment data.
Ahead of the opening bell, futures for the Dow Jones Industrials faded 15 points, or 0.1%, to 19,182. Futures for the S&P 500 dropped three points, or 0.1%, to 2,189. NASDAQ futures slid 12.5 points, or 0.3%, to 4,724
On the earnings front in the U.S., Big Lots reported quarterly results before the bell.
Employment defied the experts in November and added 178,000 new jobs. The U.S. Labor Department also said the boost helped lower the unemployment rate to 4.6%.
Experts had the U.S. economy adding 175,000 in November with the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.9%.
European markets were noticeably lower early Friday afternoon. In Asia, the Shanghai Composite in China closed 0.9% lower on Friday, while the Nikkei in Japan closed 0.5% lower.
Oil prices dipped 55 cents to $50.51 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices regained $4.20 at $1,173.60 U.S. an ounce.
