US stock markets experienced a decline on Friday, concluding the trading day with losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 34,342 points, a decrease of 0.3% compared to the previous day’s close.
Shortly before the market’s conclusion in New York, the broader S&P 500 registered around 4,295 points, marginally below a one-point decrease. The Nasdaq 100, reflecting the technology sector, stood at approximately 13,065 points, down 0.1%.
Market sentiment appeared to be influenced by reports suggesting that US President Donald Trump is pressing for higher tariffs in negotiations with the European Union. This could potentially lead to increased costs for US consumers on imported EU products. However, inflationary expectations among US consumers have recently eased. A survey by the University of Michigan indicates that consumers currently anticipate a price increase of 4.4% within a year, a significant drop from the 6.6% expectation recorded in May.
The Euro strengthened against the US dollar on Friday evening, trading at $1.0824, with a dollar worth €0.9257.
Gold prices saw a positive trend, reaching $1,960 per fine ounce (+0.2%), equivalent to €111.71 per gram.
Conversely, crude oil prices declined. A barrel of Brent North Sea crude traded at $78.45 on Friday evening, a decrease of 43 cents or 0.5% lower than the previous day’s closing price.
