The NZX was almost flat, trading around 13,723 in Friday morning deals, extending its muted performance from the previous session, as gains in consumer discretionary and communication services offset declines in energy and materials. The broader index attempted to rise amid anticipation of the release of consumer and producer price data from China, New Zealand's top trading partner, to guide the outlook for the Chinese economy amid continued weak domestic demand. Traders also awaited the release of US jobs data later today to guide the Fed’s monetary policy decision at the upcoming meeting. Domestically, caution also built as traders braced for the release of food inflation data and the PMI next week amid a lack of strong catalysts. Turner Automotive Group rose 1.1%, Chorus gained 0.9%, and Infratil advanced 0.7%, while Port of Tauranga and Sanford each fell 0.5%. For the week, however, the index is heading for a gain as worries about the escalation of geopolitical tensions faded.