U.S. stock markets showed mixed performance on Friday. In New York, the Dow finished at 51,947 points, marking a gain of 0.5% compared to the previous trading day. Separately, the broader S&P 500 was up 0.1% at approximately 7,412 points. However, the tech sector faced a downturn, with the Nasdaq 100 calculating at roughly 28,110 points, down 1.2% at that time.
Andreas Lipkow, Chief Market Analyst at CMC Markets, commented that “a certain summer sluggishness is detectable, which is further amplified by developments in the Middle East.” He noted that the weekend holds an unpredictable outlook, and investors are leaning toward caution, taking profits rather than pursuing further risk on Monday.
In other markets, the European common currency was slightly weaker on Friday evening, with the Euro trading at $1.1370 and the dollar available at €0.8795. The price of gold rose slightly, reaching $4,053 for a fine ounce (+0.1%) in the evening, equivalent to €114.62 per gram.
Conversely, oil prices dropped sharply. A barrel of North Sea Brent crude cost $97.25 around 10 p.m. German time, representing a loss of 3.4% (344 cents) compared to the conclusion of the previous trading session.
