Global equity markets opened in mixed territory on Friday, with oil prices treading water as investors balanced ongoing geopolitical risks against a cautious broader sentiment.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted a modest gain of 0.26% to 52,622.92 points, while the S&P 500 edged up 0.05% to 7,547.64.
The Nasdaq Composite faced headwinds, falling 0.12%, reflecting a divided market outlook.
Energy markets showed little directional conviction, with Brent crude prices remaining flat.
Despite persistent tensions in the Middle East that typically support a risk premium on oil, the lack of fresh escalation or supply disruption news has kept buyers on the sidelines.
The commodity’s stability suggests that traders are currently pricing in the status quo rather than anticipating an immediate spike in supply risks.
In equities, enthusiasm surrounding the market debut of South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix provided a counterweight to geopolitical anxieties.