LONDON—Global shares struggled for firm footing on Thursday as the dollar eased ahead of U.S. jobs data that could offer a steer on the outlook for interest rates, while oil prices stabilized near three-week highs after OPEC+ agreed to cut output.
Investors are anxiously waiting for confirmation from Friday’s U.S. non-farm payrolls report of the resilience of the world’s largest economy.
Right now, a mixed picture is forming, after job openings figures suggested hiring is slowing, while measures of private-sector employment and service sector activity pointed to a stronger September than many had expected.
The dollar, which has been on a seemingly unstoppable upward path this year, retreated on Thursday, feeding some risk appetite and boosting the commodities complex, where oil was holding around its highest since mid-September….