U.S. stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Friday, as investors navigated conflicting comments on the U.S.-China trade front despite signs of a possible softening in Beijing's stance. On a brighter note,

Financial markets are likely to remain choppy until investors get more clarity on U.S. trade policy, Wall Street analysts say.

NEW YORK >> Wall Street advanced today, notching weekly gains as investors parsed a spate of earnings and looked for signs of easing tensions in the U.S.-China trade dispute.