SNAPSHOT: Equities up, Treasuries steepen, Crude down, Dollar flat, Gold downREAR VIEW: Softer-than-expected US PPI; US initial claims rise more than expected; Weak US 30yr bond auction; Fed's Barkin said still an open question whether the Fed needs to hike; Fed's Hammack reiterates call to hike rates; Norges holds rates as expected.COMING UP: Data: German Wholesale Prices (Jul), French Inflation Final (Jul), EU GDP 2nd Estimate (Q2), Trade Balance (Jun), US Retail Sales (Jul), University of Michigan Prelim. (Aug), Atlanta Fed GDP (Q3). Speakers: RBA's Bullock. Supply: Australia. Credit Rating: Fitch on the UKMore Newsquawk in 2 steps:MARKET WRAPUS indices saw gains on Thursday, with sectors largely in…