Telco’s AGM to approve cash dividends of 40 fils per share for H2 of 2023
European shares were also dragged lower by a hit to travel stocks after Britain added more European countries to its quarantine list.
The pan-European STOXX 600 was down 0.7 per cent, although on track to gain for a second straight week.
MSCI's world index was 0.2 per cent lower, drifting further from all-time highs touched in February. The index has still rallied close to 50 per cent from March's trough in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The rally was over-extended and most of the good news is already priced in," said Francois Savary, chief investment officer at Swiss wealth manager Prime Partners.
"There are no more positive than expected earnings and we're back to the macro background and the checking of the data regularly to see if the recovery is sustainable. Markets are pricing a lot of good news and we will be entering a period of volatility with the US elections coming up."
Preliminary European employment and GDP numbers due at 0900 GMT and US retail sales figures at 1230 GMT will be watched for signs of divergence between the US and European recoveries.
Data showing a slower-than-expected rise in Chinese industrial production and a surprise fall in retail sales put Asian shares on the backfoot.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.1 per cent, although shares in Japan rose 0.2 per cent.
Chinese shares rose 1.5 per cent in choppy trade, with the data suggesting domestic demand is still struggling after the coronavirus outbreak.
E-mini futures for the S&P 500 were flat.
The benchmark German 10-year Bund yield fell to -0.42 per cent after rising for three sessions and having touched a six-week peak in early trade.
Yields on US Treasuries remained elevated after an auction of 30-year bonds on Thursday met weak demand.
Further equity gains are likely to be limited as investors await progress in negotiations over US economic stimulus, which is necessary to prevent a nascent recovery in the world's largest economy from sliding into reverse.
Some traders stuck to the sidelines before a meeting between US and Chinese officials about their Phase 1 trade deal on Saturday.
Spot gold fell 0.35 to $1,947.43 as high US Treasury yields prompted investors to reassess their positions. Bullion has declined more than 4 per cent so far this week, its biggest weekly percentage fall since early March.
Data on Thursday showed the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits dropped below one million for the first time since the start of the pandemic, but was not enough to change economists' views that the jobs market is faltering.
US Treasury yields also supported the US dollar, which held steady at 106.90 yen and $1.1812 against the euro .
The dollar index was headed for an eighth consecutive week of losses, its longest weekly losing streak since June 2010.
Oil edged further below $45 a barrel amid worries about supply recovery and rising supply. Brent crude fell or 0.7 per cent to $44.67, reversing this week's gains. US West Texas Intermediate slipped 0.6 per cent to $41.99.
Telco’s AGM to approve cash dividends of 40 fils per share for H2 of 2023
Company showcases Hybrid Cloud Observability at GISEC 2024
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced a series of protests from Friday
By understanding the tactics universities employ, students can strategically craft their applications strategy
Oil demand for road transport should peak around 2025
Some of America's most prestigious universities have been rocked by protests in recent weeks as students and other agitators take over quads
Eight teams will compete in this groundbreaking event and more than 10,000 spectators are expected to witness the inaugural edition
Robust performance acknowledged at its annual general meeting