Asian markets are heading sideways today ahead of the major global data event this week — tonight’s release of monthly US employment figures.

Speaking of jobs, there’s an internship going in LA:

Remuneration: US$15/hr for up to 16 hours a week
Job description: Smoke weed and eat edibles (then write reviews about them).

If that fits your skill set, there’s also a link to apply in writing or via a short video (no longer than 4:20).

On local markets, ASX stocks are tracking flat as a tack to end the week, with no major catalysts in morning trade.

The Aussie dollar is trading back below US77c following a renewed round of strength in the USD.

Gains in the greenback also sent gold back below $US1,900/oz, as more strong US data overnight raised the prospect that the US Federal Reserve may accelerate the taper of its bond purchase program as the economic recovery gathers pace.

In that context, the US jobs print may take on extra significance if it beats (or misses) expectations tonight.
 

WINNERS

Here are the best performing ASX small cap stocks at 12pm Friday, June 4:

Swipe or scroll to reveal the full table. Click headings to sort.

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Market-moving news was fairly light-on to end the week, as only three companies showed up on the winner’s list following new announcements.

Among them was industrial product distribution group Stealth Global (ASX:SGI), which rose by around 20% in the wake of some M&A news.

The company announced that it’s struck a deal to acquire the business assets of Skipper Transport Parts, including its store network across WA and Queensland.

SGI called Skipper a “strategic fit” which will facilitate additional cross-selling opportunities across its WA distribution network.

Also posting a gain was data company 9 Spokes (ASX:9SP), which has signed a deal with Virgin Money UK.

Under the terms of the three-year deal, 9SP will custom-fit its data management platform for Virgin’s SME customers. 9SP said it expects to generate US$2.85m of licensing fees over the term of the three-year contract.
 

LOSERS

Here are the worst performing ASX small cap stocks at 12pm Friday, June 4:

Swipe or scroll to reveal the full table. Click headings to sort.

Wordpress Table Plugin

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