U.S. equity futures edged lower in early Friday trading, while Treasury yields and the dollar held steady, as investors braced for a critical January jobs report that could define market direction over the coming weeks.

U.S. stock indexes are holding relatively steady on Friday following a mixed report on the U.S. job market that analysts said may not change much for financial markets. The S&P 500 was 0.1% higher in early trading and remained on track for a modest gain for the week.