United States equity markets ended Friday’s session (Saturday AEDT) in a narrow range after a softer-than-expected inflation report failed to generate meaningful upside momentum.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 49.0 points, or 0.1%, to close at 49,500.9. The S&P 500 added 3.4 points, or 0.1%, to finish at 6,836.2, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 50.5 points, or 0.2%, to 22,546.7.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the consumer price index rose 0.2% in January, below expectations for a 0.3% monthly increase.
On an annual basis, headline inflation eased to 2.4%, undershooting forecasts of 2.5%.
Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.3% on the month and 2.5% year-on-year, broadly in line with market expectations.
While the report provided further evidence that inflationary pressures are moderating, the reading was not soft enough to materially shift interest rate expectations or trigger a sustained rally in risk assets.
Instead, investors remained cautious amid broader concerns that have weighed on sentiment throughout the week.
Fears of artificial intelligence-driven disruption unsettled markets, extending beyond the software sector into real estate, trucking and financial services.
Shares in Charles Schwab Corporation fell 10.8% over the week, while Morgan Stanley dropped 4.9%. Software group Workday Inc. slid 11% during the period.
Commercial property also came under pressure, with CBRE Group Inc. losing 16% week to date as concerns about structural shifts in demand continued to weigh.
Despite Friday’s relatively stable session, the major indices all recorded weekly losses. The Dow Jones dropped 1.2%, the S&P 500 fell 1.4%, marking its second consecutive weekly decline, while the Nasdaq Composite retreated 2.1%.
In fixed income markets, U.S. Treasury yields edged lower. The 10-year yield fell 1.2% to 4.055%, while the two-year yield declined 1.4% to 3.41%.
