Finance

Led by robust performances in technology and artificial intelligence semiconductor stocks, the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.2% on Friday to touch an all-time intraday record. This mark secured a third consecutive positive week for the tech-heavy index. Conversely, despite the broad Friday rally, both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 closed the full week in negative territory, losing 1.3% and 0.3% respectively.

Oil futures finished lower at the end of the week after the G7 nations and European leaders agreed to deploy 100 million barrels of crude and diesel reserves from emergency stockpiles over the next four months. The coordinated intervention aims to lower surging fuel prices and ease supply anxieties despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. West Texas Intermediate futures fell 1.9% to settle at $91.11 a barrel, while international benchmark Brent crude slipped marginally to $102.25.

Digital assets experienced positive upward momentum following the softer macroeconomic data and shifting interest rate outlooks. Bitcoin firmly traded above the $86,000 threshold, marking a solid daily gain and attracting continued institutional accumulation despite a broader cyclical downturn earlier in the year. Concurrently, Ethereum regained strength to trade above $2,700 as market sentiment regarding risk assets improved.