Spot gold peaked at over $3 000.00 per ounce on Friday, marking a significant milestone in its price history

US stocks rallied sharply on Friday, recovering some ground after a turbulent week that saw the S&P 500 enter correction territory for the first time since 2023. The S&P 500 rose by 1.70 closing at 5 615.29%, the Nasdaq Composite surged by 2.11% with a close of 17 668.25, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 1.28 to close at 41 336.02%. However, despite these gains, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq remain on track for their fourth consecutive week of losses, with the S&P down 10.1% from its record high just over three weeks ago. Concerns about President Donald Trump’s tariffs and their potential impact on inflation and economic growth have weighed heavily on investor sentiment, pushing markets into correction territory. Technology stocks led Friday’s recovery, with Nvidia and Meta Platforms rebounding after recent declines. Overall sentiment remains cautious, as fears of slowing economic growth persist.

European markets concluded the week on a positive note, with indices rising after reports indicated that German lawmakers were nearing an agreement to reform the country's "debt brake" rules. Friedrich Merz, Germany's likely next chancellor, reportedly secured crucial support from the Greens to increase public borrowing, facilitating a rise in defence spending. This led to a boost in investor confidence, with the pan-European Stoxx 600 index closing 1.14% higher. The German DAX performed particularly well, rising by 1.86%, while the UK's FTSE 100 ended the day at 8,632.33, marking a gain of 1.10%. Investor sentiment in Europe remains cautiously optimistic, buoyed by potential fiscal reforms and increased government spending.

In Asia, the Hang Seng Index saw a rise of 2.12%, closing at 23 981.11 and Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 263 points (0.72%), closing at 37,053,10.  Investor sentiment in Asia is largely positive, driven by hopes for domestic stimulus and supportive monetary policy adjustments. Furthermore, investors were drawn to Asian markets as a stable alternative to the volatile US equities, seeking to mitigate risks amidst global economic uncertainties.

Commodities were led by gold, which made history by surpassing the $3 000 per ounce mark for the first time, marking a notable 3.30% weekly increase. This achievement underscores a substantial 14% rise since the onset of 2025, highlighting gold's status as a preferred safe-haven asset during periods of economic uncertainty. The surge in gold prices is largely driven by escalating trade tensions and investors' desire to diversify their portfolios amidst global economic instability. In the oil market, Brent crude futures rebounded by 0.89%, reaching $70.50 per barrel, following a previous session decline of 1.50%. This recovery reflects ongoing volatility in energy markets, influenced by geopolitical factors and shifting demand dynamics.