US equity markets presented a mixed performance on Friday, concluding the trading day with varying results across key indices. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 46,758.28 points, marking a 0.51% increase compared to the previous session.
Earlier in the day, the broader S&P 500 fluctuated narrowly, ultimately finishing slightly positive at approximately 6,715 points. Conversely, the Nasdaq Composite, heavily weighted towards technology stocks, registered a decline of 0.4%, settling at around 24,785 points.
Market analysts attribute the uncertainty observed among investors to the ongoing US government shutdown and the subsequent postponement of critical US employment data releases.
The Euro strengthened against the US dollar on Friday evening, trading at $1.1743, with the dollar fetching €0.8516.
Gold prices saw an upward trend, with the spot price for a fine ounce reaching $3,885, reflecting a 0.7% increase. This equates to approximately €106.36 per gram.
Crude oil prices also increased, with a barrel of North Sea Brent crude trading at $64.37 late Friday, representing a gain of 26 cents, or 0.4%, compared to the previous day’s closing price.
