US stock markets showed mixed performance on Friday. While the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.2% compared to the previous day, closing at 49,231 points, other indices saw gains. Earlier in the trading session, the broader S&P 500 had climbed 0.8% to approximately 7,165 points, and the technology-focused Nasdaq 100 rose more sharply, gaining 2.0% to around 27,304 points.
Separately, the U.S. Department of Justice has dropped its investigations into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. This development removes a key hurdle for Powell’s likely successor, Kevin Warsh. Powell’s tenure as Fed Chair is scheduled to end on May 15. Warsh, who is favored by Trump, now needs confirmation from both the Senate Banking Committee and the full Senate. However, Republican Congressman Thom Tillis announced that he would only agree to confirm the position if the Department of Justice officially dropped its inquiries into Powell, highlighting that such investigations were viewed as an attempt to pressure the central bank-an institution whose independence is considered crucial for price stability.
In other markets, the Euro strengthened on Friday evening, exchanging at 1.1720 US dollars. Consequently, the dollar bought into the Euro at a rate of 0.8532. Gold prices also increased, trading at $4,710 per fine ounce, marking a 0.3% gain, equating to €129.21 per gram. Oil prices followed a similar trend, with a barrel of Brent Crude oil costing $105.80 by 10 p.m. German time-a rise of 0.7% (or 68 cents) compared to the previous closing day.