Global markets: Stocks slip as dollar heads for weekly loss
In a week fraught with concerns over escalating interest rates and financial complications tied to AI, global stock indices saw moderate declines. While the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones recorded losses, the Dow managed to post a weekly gain. In contrast, European markets, led by London's FTSE 100, experienced a positive turn.
Global stocks experienced a modest decline on Friday as markets steadied following a sharp tech-led sell-off, while the dollar was on track for a weekly loss. The week's concerns over higher interest rates and debt-financed AI boom drove technology and chip stocks down. Traders increased bets on additional US rate hikes after stronger-than-expected inflation data released on Wednesday, leading to increased investments in Treasuries and government bonds.
On Wall Street, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed down with weekly losses, while the Dow saw a reversal of early gains but still posted a weekly gain. Technology and communication services led the losses, with utilities and energy stocks being the top gainers. CoreWeave's shares plummeted by 12%, marking a 25% decline for the week due to heightened scrutiny of financing for AI infrastructure.
Despite the US Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.34%, S&P 500 losing 1.09%, and Nasdaq Composite falling 2.1%, the MSCI World Equity Index experienced a 0.40% weekly loss. European stock indexes, less impacted by the Thursday sell-off, gained, with the STOXX 600 rising by 0.72% and the FTSE 100 increasing by 0.38%. Asian stocks generally rose, while bond markets steadied as investors reversed some of their previous moves.
However, Indonesian equities witnessed their largest drop since 1998 after MSCI announced it would remove the country from emerging-market status and plans to remove it from key indexes. The dollar fell 0.26%, on track for its first weekly decline after four weeks of gains, as lower Treasury yields diminished its appeal. The euro strengthened to $1.1238, and the Japanese yen rose by 0.01% against the greenback.
European government bond yields rose, while US yields reversed their earlier declines. Global bond markets were set to achieve their strongest weekly performance since late May. Brent crude futures surged 3.72%, closing at $109.86 per barrel, and were on track for a second consecutive weekly gain due to concerns over Middle East supplies. Gold benefited from the weaker dollar, increasing by 0.07% to $4,167.14 per ounce.
Written by urgent.news from The Economic Times - Top News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
