A stack of data is scheduled for release this week, culminating in the publication of NFP data from the US on Friday.

A strengthening USD sent paired currencies down further on Friday. The EURUSD began Friday at $1.16643 and was steady early, edging up to a high of $1.16845 mid-session. Those highs were given up quick as the pair fell to lows of $1.16114 late in the day. It has come off those lows and is now trading at $1.16302. The GBPUSD showed more signs of life after opening at $1.27515. The pair was steady in early trading before racing to a high of $1.28046. The pound tumbled from those highs, hitting lows of $1.26863 late. However, unlike the euro, the pound bounced back and regained a lot of those losses and closed at $1.27423. It has carried that momentum into the new week and is now trading at $1.27658.

The Dow returned to form on Friday after being let off the leash midway through the day. The index started the day at 26,875.69, rose slightly, but then fell away mid-session to a low of 26,548.66. The low seemingly sparked it into action, with the Dow soaring to heights of 27,238.77 just before the close. It is now trading at 27,257.30. After opening at 12,658.15, the Dax was unable to capitalise on a late surging Dow. The German index nudged up to a high of 12,707.24 early before falling away for a large portion of the day, bottoming-out at 12,334.76. It was able to regain some of those losses late in the day, closing at 12,567.81. It is currently trading at that same level.

The week ahead shapes up as a busy one for markets, with a plethora of data set for release. Traders will be keenly awaiting the latest Non-Farm Employment Change figures on Friday, where the US economy is expected to have added another 900,000 jobs.

Data published today and the most significant this week includes:

Today – ECB President Christine Legarde speaks

Tuesday – US Goods Trade Balance, German Prelim CPI

Wednesday – US Final GDP, Pending Home Sales, Chicago PMI and CB Consumer Confidence, China Manufacturing PMI, ECB President Christine Legarde speaks

Thursday – US Unemployment Claims, UK Final Manufacturing PMI

Friday – US Non-Farm Employment Change, Average Hourly Earnings, Unemployment Rate and ISM Manufacturing PMI

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