Major US stock indices rose slightly on Friday after October job data, which caused fears of wage growth, while the jump in Apple shares supported the high-tech Nasdaq.

As the report of the Ministry of Labor showed, the US economy added 261,000 jobs in October, as the employment situation continues to improve after the hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Economists predicted an increase in the number of employees by 310 thousand. The report also showed that the unemployment rate fell to 4.1% from 4.2% and approached the 17-year minimum, but the decrease was partly due to a sharp decrease in the workforce by 765 thousand people . At the same time, the average hourly salary remained almost unchanged - $ 26.53 (- $ 0.01 m / m or 0%) - in October. Economists had expected that the unemployment rate would remain at 4.2%, while the average hourly wage would increase by 0.2% in October.

Meanwhile, in September the trade deficit in the US increased slightly, while it was slightly more than economists had forecast. The deficit increased, as imports grew slightly faster than exports. The US Commerce Department reported that the trade balance deficit in the country increased in September to $ 43.5 billion, compared with $ 42.8 billion in the previous month. Economists had expected expansion, although the latter figure was slightly higher than economists expected - $ 43.2 billion.

In addition, the index of business activity in the US services, calculated by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), rose in October to 60.1 points compared to 59.8 points in September. The latter value was the highest since August 2005. Analysts predicted that the index will deteriorate to 58.5 points. Recall, the indicator is the result of a survey of about 400 firms from 60 sectors across the US. A value greater than 50 is usually considered an indicator of the growth of production activity.

Most components of the DOW index finished trading in positive territory (18 out of 30). The leader of growth was the shares of Apple Inc. (AAPL, + 2.59%). Outsider were shares of Intel Corporation (INTC, -1.53%).

Most sectors of the S & P index recorded an increase. The conglomerate sector grew most (+ 1.9%). The largest decrease was shown in the financial sector (-0.4%).

At closing:

DJIA +22.93 23539.19 + 0.10%

S & P 500 +7.05 2586.90 + 0.27%

NASDAQ +49.49 6764.43 + 0.74%

U.S. stock-index futures were slightly higher on Friday as investors assessed the U.S. jobs report for October and Apple's (AAPL) quarterly results.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei -

Hang Seng 28,603.61 +84.97 +0.30%

Shanghai 3,371.21 -12.10 -0.36%

S&P/ASX 5,959.88 +28.17 +0.47%

FTSE 7,557.40 +2.08 +0.03%

CAC 5,506.10 -4.40 -0.08%

DAX 13,464.46 +23.53 +0.18%

Crude $54.67 (+0.24%)

Gold $1,278.00 (-0.02%)

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

UnitedHealth (UNH) initiated with Outperform at Credit Suisse

American Intl (AIG) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at BofA/Merrill

Apple (AAPL) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Rosenblatt; target $180

Twitter (TWTR) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Argus; target $25

American Intl (AIG) reported Q3 FY 2017 losses of $1.22 per share (versus earnings of $1.23 in Q3 FY 2016), $0.43 worse than analysts' consensus estimate of -$0.79.

The company noted that "the insurance industry witnessed unprecedented catastrophic events" in Q3.

AIG fell to $62.50 (-3.82%) in pre-market trading.

Starbucks (SBUX) reported Q4 FY 2017 earnings of $0.55 per share (versus $0.56 in Q4 FY 2016), in-line with analysts' consensus estimate of $0.55.

The company's quarterly revenues amounted to $5.698 bln (-0.2% y/y), missing analysts' consensus estimate of $5.807 bln.

SBUX fell to $54.29 (-1.06%) in pre-market trading.

Apple (AAPL) reported Q4 FY 2017 earnings of $2.07 per share (versus $1.67 in Q4 FY 2016), beating analysts' consensus estimate of $1.87.

The company's quarterly revenues amounted to $52.579 bln (+12.2% y/y), beating analysts' consensus estimate of $50.707 bln.

The company also issued in-line guidance for Q1 FY 2018, projecting Q1 revenues of $84-87 bln (versus analysts' consensus estimate of $85.34 bln) and gross margin of 38-38.5% (versus 38.6% estimated and 38.5% last year).

AAPL rose to $174.35 (+3.71%) in pre-market trading.

Asia-Pacific equities struggled for direction Friday, following a lack of movement in most U.S. stocks overnight, as investors seek new drivers after an October to remember. Australian stocks stood out, hitting fresh 2017 highs on gains in commodity prices. The S&P/ASX 200 XJO, +0.43% was recently up 0.5% at 5,964 - hitting a 2017 high for the second day in a row - and moving closer to 2015's peak of 5,996.90. Topping that would put the index at its best level in 10 years.

European stocks ended lower on Thursday, with shares of many exporters under pressure as the euro increased in value. British blue chips, however, climbed as the Bank of England struck a dovish note even as it raised borrowing costs for the first time in a decade. The market continued to have plenty of corporate earnings reports to consider, with Swiss lender Credit Suisse Group AG saying its profit climbed.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a record on Thursday, but the other main benchmarks saw muted moves, as the much-anticipated tax plan by House Republicans was unveiled and as President Donald Trump nominated Fed. Gov. Jerome Powell to run the Federal Reserve, as had been widely expected.