Welcome to Markets Desk, your Friday close from the floor.
The Japanese yen surged as much as one point one percent against the dollar Friday after a softer-than-expected U.S. payrolls report rattled currency markets. The dollar index fell over thirty cents, and traders are now watching closely for signs that Japanese authorities may step back into the market to defend the yen's recent range.
Staying with commodities, cotton futures posted a strong weekly finish, with December contracts up two hundred sixty-one points on the week and Friday alone adding between one hundred twenty and one hundred thirty points of gains. The softer dollar provided meaningful tailwind, and managed money spec funds, per the Friday Commitment of Traders report, appear to be adding to their positioning heading into the weekend.
And in earnings, Ballard Power Systems reported second quarter two thousand twenty-six results, with the hydrogen fuel cell maker continuing to navigate a market weighing the long-term promise of clean energy against near-term profitability pressures. Investors will be parsing the transcript closely for any guidance shifts on cash burn and commercial deployment timelines.
That's the tape. Markets Desk, signing off the floor.
