European shares were little changed on Friday and ended the week with modest gains, while investors evaluated a long-delayed U.S. inflation report that reinforced expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut next week.
Wall Street’s major indexes were mostly flat, as investors reviewed fresh labor-market signals and firmed up their expectations for a possible Federal Reserve rate cut next week. A Labor Department report showed new jobless claims dropping to their lowest level in more than three years.
The U.S. dollar edged lower, extending its recent bout of weakness, as investors braced for a Federal Reserve rate cut next week, while the yen gained on expectations that the Bank of Japan will raise rates this month.
Oil prices rose on investors’ expectations for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, while stalled Ukraine peace talks tempered expectations of a deal restoring Russian oil flows. Escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela were also supporting prices
The euro hit an almost seven-week high against the dollar, boosted by data showing an expansion in euro zone business activity, while weaker than expected U.S. jobs data and expectations of further U.S. rate cuts weighed on the dollar.
Salesforce raised its fiscal 2026 revenue and adjusted profit forecasts, anticipating growth from its artificial intelligence agent platform due to strong enterprise demand, sending its shares up around 5% in extended trading.
