Mixed signals from US President Donald Trump about the US-China trade dispute kept investors on edge.

Markets at 8:05am (AEDT): ASX SPI futures -0.1pc at 5,744, ASX 200 (Thursday's close) +0.6pc at 5,758

ASX SPI futures -0.1pc at 5,744, ASX 200 (Thursday's close) +0.6pc at 5,758 AUD: 73.18 US cents, 57.25 British pence, 64.22 Euro cents, 82.98 Japanese yen, $NZ1.07

AUD: 73.18 US cents, 57.25 British pence, 64.22 Euro cents, 82.98 Japanese yen, $NZ1.07 US: Dow Jones -0.1pc at 25,339, S&P 500 -0.2pc at 2,738, Nasdaq -0.3pc at 7,273

US: Dow Jones -0.1pc at 25,339, S&P 500 -0.2pc at 2,738, Nasdaq -0.3pc at 7,273 Europe: FTSE 100 +0.5pc at 7,039, DAX flat at 11,298, CAC +0.5pc at 5,006, Euro Stoxx 50 +0.4pc at 3,179

Europe: FTSE 100 +0.5pc at 7,039, DAX flat at 11,298, CAC +0.5pc at 5,006, Euro Stoxx 50 +0.4pc at 3,179 Commodities: Brent crude +1.1pc at $US59.39/barrel, spot gold +0.2pc at $US1,223.81/ounce, iron ore +0.2pc at $US66.51/tonne

Mr Trump told reporters that he was open to making a trade deal, when he meets with China's President Xi Jinping this weekend at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires.

But then the President said he was not sure he wants to proceed, and likes where things stand now.

"I think we're very close to doing something with China but I don't know that I want to do it," Mr Trump said, as he left the White House to fly to Argentina.

"Because what we have right now is billions and billions of dollars coming into the United States in the form of tariffs or taxes."

Investors are hoping that the two leaders will end their escalating tariff wars soon.

However, adding to their woes was confirmation that White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, who has advocated a hard-line stance against China, would also be attending the summit.

Highs and lows

The industrial-skewed Dow Jones index fell 28 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 25,339 at 8:05am (AEDT).

Throughout the chopping trading session, the Dow fluctuated over the conflicting trade headlines — dropping by more than 160 points and rising by as much as 45 points.

The benchmark S&P 500 turned negative by the end, down 0.2 per cent to 2,738.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq index lost 0.25 per cent to 7,273.

Energy was one of the best performing S&P sectors, driven by a rebound in oil prices.

Brent crude lifted 1.1 per cent to $US59.39 a barrel.

This was after industry sources said Russia had accepted the need to cut oil production, together with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) ahead of its meeting next week.

Final day of royal commission

The local share market is expected to fall slightly (-0.1pc) at the open, according to ASX futures.

The Australian dollar lifted slightly to 73.2 US cents and 57.2 British pence.

Meanwhile, today is the final hearing day of the banking royal commission.

Wayne Byers, the chairman of Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), is expected to be questioned on whether his organisation has done enough to regulate longstanding banking misconduct.

Mr Byers said yesterday that APRA was planning to step in to ensure banking executive pay is less focused on financial performance and more on risk management and customer outcomes.

ABC/Reuters