US stock markets posted modest gains on Friday, driven by a combination of better-than-expected corporate earnings and a retreat in energy prices.
Intel and SAP emerged as key supporters for the session, with the chipmaker’s optimistic outlook and the software group’s robust results helping to offset broader market hesitation.
The Nasdaq opened with some uncertainty but found footing as investor sentiment improved on the corporate news flow.
The pullback in crude oil prices provided a welcome reprieve for investors who have been concerned about persistent energy-driven inflation.
Lower energy costs helped stabilize market sentiment, reducing the immediate pressure on central banks to maintain restrictive policy stances.
This dynamic aligns with recent trends where cooling producer inflation has helped ease fears of a prolonged inflationary spike.