LONDON, Sept 8 - Stocks markets were subdued on Friday after prolonged pressure, with investors watching the contrasting fortunes of the dollar and yuan, and mulling central bank meetings and U.S. data on the horizon.The tech sector was in focus after about $200 billion was wiped from Apple's market capitalisation in two days on reports of China curbing iPhone use by state employees and on Friday protectionism fears were weighing on shares of suppliers.
The U.S. Consumer Price Index reading for August is due on Sept. 13 ahead of the Fed's next meeting in the following week. Patrick Spencer, vice chair of equities at Baird, said investors were trying to guess at what pace the Fed could begin cutting interest rates next year. "Given challenges facing China, and more signs of a re-tightening of the U.S. jobs market, it is not surprising that the dollar is finding support, allowing the 'dollar juggernaut' to continue its rampaging run," analysts at ANZ Bank said in a note.