Economic calendar: NFP report in focus 💡

• Futures point to higher opening of European indices in early Friday session
• Investors' attention will focus today on the NFP report from the US
• The Norges Bank decision, PMI data from the UK and the US, and ISM services data from the US may also prove to be key macro reports

Sentiment ahead of the start of today's European cash session can be described as slightly positive, which is of course related to yesterday's Apple quarterly report. The company posted better-than-expected earnings and revenue, and announced a $110 billion share repurchase program. Importantly, however, there is an important macroeconomic report ahead, which may put these sentiments to the test (positive as well as negative).

We are talking about the NFP report, which will illustrate the state of the U.S. labor market, and thus could be a key element creating further Fed decisions on interest rates. The reading is scheduled for 1:30 pm BST. 

Key macro reports of Friday's session:

09:00 am BST - Norges Bank interest rate decision. Expected: 4.5%. Previously: 4.5%.

09:30 am BST - Final PMI data for the UK services sector for April. Expected: 54.9; Previously: 53.1.

01:30 pm BST - US NFP report for April. 

• Change in non-farm payrolls. Expected: 245,000. Previously: 303,000.
• Change in private sector employment. Expected: 180,000. Previously: 232,000.
• Average hourly wages on an annualized basis. Expected: 4%. Previously: 4.1%.
• Average wages per hour on a monthly basis. Expected: 0.3%. Previously: 0.3%.
• Unemployment rate. Expected: 3.8% y/y. Previously: 3.8% y/y. 

02:45 pm BST - PMI report for the U.S. services sector for April. Expected: 50.9 Previously: 51.7.

03:00 pm BST - ISM report for the US service sector for April. Expected: 52.0. Previously: 51.4.

• Employment sub-index. Previously: 48.5.
• Price sub-index. Previously: 53.4.