CNBC Daily Open: A mixed picture on U.S. jobs growth

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Like what you see? You can subscribe  here .

U.S. stocks retreat
Wall Street finished Friday's session lower as investors look ahead to key inflation data due out this week. The benchmark S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.65% and 1.16%, respectively. The blue-chip Dow lost 0.18%, closing out its worst week since October.

Japan skirts technical recession
Japan avoided a technical recession as revised fourth-quarter data revealed the economy returned to growth. Gross domestic product grew 0.4% in the October-December period compared with a year ago. This comes after provisional data released in February showed the economy was in contraction.  

AirAsia CEO on topless post
AirAsia founder and CEO Tony Fernandes said he has no regrets over a viral LinkedIn post that showed him getting a massage at a meeting. "My famous topless sports massage was all about showing our culture, to be honest, that we had such a flexible culture," the Malaysian businessman told CNBC.

Pfizer bets on cancer drugs
U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is betting big on cancer drugs for a turnaround after a sharp fall in its Covid business. The company made its oncology pitch at an investor event last week. Pfizer also rolled out a splashy Super Bowl ad promoting its initiative to "outdo cancer." 

[PRO] Ark Invest's top AI plays
Innovation-focused Ark Invest is bullish on artificial intelligence amid the frenzy. Tasha Keeney, director of investment analysis and institutional strategies at the asset manager, is "particularly excited about" the autonomous cars