US markets steady amid renewed trade tensions

Most US indices ended Friday flat as media reports showed that President Donald Trump plans to impose steep tariffs on the European Union, despite ongoing negotiations.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.32% (142 points) to 44,342, ending the week virtually unchanged.

The S&P 500 remained flat at 6,296, but posted a weekly gain of 0.59%.

The Nasdaq Composite also held steady at 20,895, securing a weekly rise of 1.51%.

In Europe, the Stoxx Europe 600 was unchanged at 547, ending the week with no major change.

Germany’s DAX fell 0.35% to 24,289, while France’s CAC held at 7,822.

The UK’s FTSE 100 edged up 0.20% to 8,992.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 dropped 0.20% to 39,819, and the broader Topix index fell similarly to 2,834.

Despite the decline, both indices posted weekly gains of 0.65% and 0.4%, respectively.

As for oil markets, Brent crude futures for September delivery fell 0.35% (24 cents) to $69.28 per barrel, ending the week down 1.53%.

WTI crude futures for August delivery declined 0.30% (20 cents) to $67.34 per barrel, with a weekly loss of 1.62%.

As for gold, August futures delivery rose 0.40% ($13) to $3,358.30/oz, trimming its weekly loss to just 0.17%.