Global Markets Waver as Tariff Hikes and Yields Stifle Recovery

Wall Street indices delivered a fragmented performance on Friday, with the Dow Jones climbing 0.5% and the S&P 500 adding 0.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite remained flat. Tech stocks faced additional headwinds as investors scrutinized the rising capital expenditure required for artificial intelligence development. Across the Atlantic, European markets showed more resilience, as the STOXX 600 index posted a 0.8% gain.

The U.S. dollar strengthened significantly against major currencies, buoyed by market expectations that the Federal Reserve may be forced into further interest rate hikes to combat persistent price pressures. Amid this volatility, precious metals like gold and silver staged only minor recoveries, reflecting the ongoing struggle to find a stable footing in a climate defined by economic uncertainty and shifting trade policies.