US stock markets displayed a mixed performance on Friday, closing with varying results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average settled at 34,834 points, representing a 0.6% decrease from the previous day’s close.
Shortly before the market close in New York, the broader S&P 500 stood at approximately 4,584 points, marginally lower. In contrast, the Nasdaq 100 registered a 0.4% gain, closing around 19,092 points.
Consumer confidence in the United States unexpectedly declined significantly at the start of September, according to a University of Michigan survey. The weakening of economic outlooks was particularly pronounced among consumers with lower and middle incomes. Inflation expectations for the coming year remained unchanged from August, holding steady at 4.8%.
The euro experienced minimal change against the dollar on Friday evening, trading at $1.0735, with a dollar fetching €0.9348.
Gold prices saw an upward trend, closing at $1,944 per fine ounce (+0.3%). This equates to €54.41 per gram.
The price of crude oil also increased; Brent North Sea crude was trading at $86.83 per barrel late Friday, marking a rise of 36 cents or 0.4%.