US stock markets presented a mixed picture Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing at 44,946 points – a gain of 0.1 percent from the previous session. Broader market indicators moved downward, however, as the S&P 500 finished the day around 6,450 points, down 0.3 percent and the Nasdaq 100 closed at approximately 23,712 points, a loss of 0.5 percent.
Market observers were particularly focused on the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. During transit, President Trump indicated a decision regarding tariffs on semiconductors and computer chips is forthcoming next week. The potential tariff rate was revised upward, with Trump now suggesting a range of 200 to 300 percent, compared to earlier discussions of a potential 100 percent tariff.
In currency markets, the Euro strengthened against the US dollar, trading at 1.1701 US dollars per Euro, or 0.8546 US dollars per Euro, at the close of trading.
Commodity markets saw differing movements. The price of gold saw a slight increase, ending the day at 3,339 US dollars per troy ounce, up 0.1 percent, equivalent to 91.73 Euros per gram. Meanwhile, crude oil prices declined, with Brent crude futures trading at 66.13 US dollars per barrel late Friday, a decrease of 71 cents, or 1.1 percent, from the previous closing price.
