Equities in New Zealand climbed 34 points, or 0.3%, to 13,168 in morning trade on Friday, extending gains from the previous session and reaching their highest level in two weeks. The NZX 50 tracked a rise on Wall Street on Thursday, as fresh labor data raised expectations that the Fed will implement rate cuts this month. Traders are now awaiting the US jobs report, due later today, to strengthen the case for a rate cut ahead of the central bank’s September 17 monetary policy meeting. However, gains were capped by caution ahead of next week's data release from China - New Zealand's top trading partner - as markets anticipate figures on trade and consumer prices. The energy, consumer discretionary, and communication services sectors were the main drivers of the broader index. Among early gainers were AFT Pharmaceuticals (1.9%), Mercury NZ (1.7%), Ebos Group (1.6%), and Delegat Group (0.9%). For the week, the index is on track for a 1.8% rise after retreating in the previous week.