US stock markets presented mixed results on Friday. At the close in New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.3%, settling at 49,499 points compared to the previous trading day. In contrast, the broader S&P 500 was up 0.3%, reaching approximately 7,230 points. The technology-focused Nasdaq 100 showed stronger growth, climbing 0.9% to around 27,710 points during the same period.
While the recent positive quarterly earnings from major US technology corporations are supporting investor hopes of an ongoing AI boom, concerns persist regarding the ongoing conflict between the USA and Israel involving Iran. The regime in the region has presented the US with a fresh negotiating position, though former President Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with this development. Meanwhile, Tehran remains committed to its objective of establishing permanent control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Turning to financial markets, the European common currency weakened on Friday evening; the Euro cost $1.1721, meaning that the dollar traded at 0.8532 Euros.
In commodities, the price of gold declined, with a fine ounce selling for $4,609 in the evening, marking a 0.3% decrease. This translates to a cost of 126.43 Euros per gram. Oil prices saw a noticeable drop. By 10 p.m. German time, a barrel of North Sea Brent crude cost $108.60, representing a reduction of 1.6% (or 178 cents) from the previous day’s closing price.
