The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, shed 41 points, or 0.5 percent, to close at 7,578.29 Friday. The heavier index, representing all shares, also tumbled 17 points, or 0.4 percent, to settle at 4,504.51, on a value turnover of P8 billion. US jobless claims fell to the second-lowest level since 1973, strengthening the case for the Fed to raise interest rates. “Markets are likely to remain relatively cautious” before US payrolls data, said Ric Spooner, Sydney-based chief market analyst at CMC Markets. South Korea’s Kospi index slid 0.1 percent, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 0.4 percent.

Source: The Standard October 07, 2016 15:41 UTC