US stocks end mixed, post weekly losses

US stock indices ended Friday's session on a mixed note as investors grew increasingly cautious over developments in the Middle East, while a sharp selloff in semiconductor stocks weighed on market sentiment.

At the close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.46% (235 points) to 51,947.25, although it posted a 0.38% weekly decline.

The S&P 500 ended the session little changed at 7,411, recording a 0.61% weekly loss.

The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.64% (161 points) to 24,975, extending its weekly decline to 2.13%.

In Europe, the STOXX Europe 600 advanced 0.82% to 644 points, posting a 0.47% weekly gain.

The UK's FTSE 100 climbed 0.91% to 10,736, Germany's DAX gained 1.36% to 25,099, and France's CAC 40 rose 0.88% to 8,372.

In Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 2.73% to 64,611, while the broader Topix Index fell 1% to 4,011 points.

Oil prices moved sharply lower, with Brent crude for September delivery falling 3.88% to $96.78 per barrel, while WTI crude for August delivery declined 3.12% to $89.31 per barrel.

Meanwhile, gold futures for August delivery rose 0.51% to $4,070.80 per ounce.

What's Driving the Markets?

Investor sentiment remained dominated by developments in the US-Iran conflict, despite reports that mediators were working to contain the escalation. At the same time, a broad selloff in semiconductor stocks added pressure to equities as investors reduced risk exposure heading into the weekend.