S&P 500 closes at record level, US indices post weekly gains

US stock indices rose during on Friday as markets assessed the monthly jobs report, which showed an increase in the unemployment rate to the highest level in two and a half years (4.1%), bolstering expectations of an imminent interest rate cut.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 67 points, or 0.15%, closing at 39,375 points. The index posted weekly gains of 0.65%.

The S&P 500 index ended at a record level at 5,567, adding 30 points, or 0.55%. The index rose 1.95% during the week.  

The Nasdaq Composite Index gained 164 points, or 0.9%, to end at a record high of 18,352, posting a weekly rise of 3.5%.

Elsewhere, the STOXX Europe 600 Index eased 0.2% to 516.6 points. However, the index recorded a weekly rise of 1%.

Germany’s DAX 40 Index edged up 0.15% to 18,475 points. FTSE 100 closed 0.45% higher at 8,203 points. France’s CAC 40 Index closed 0.25% down at 7,675 points.

The Nikkei 225 was flat at 40,912 points. TOPIX also shed 0.5% to 2,884 points. Both indices posted weekly gains of 3.55% and 2.65%, respectively. 

Brent crude futures for September delivery fell by 0.9%, or 80 cents, to $86.54 per barrel, although it achieved a weekly gain of 1.8%.

Meanwhile, the price of US Nymex crude for August delivery decreased by 0.85% or 72 cents, to $83.16 per barrel, but it recorded a weekly gain of 2%.

The prices of gold for August delivery rose by 1.2% or $28.3, reaching $2,397.7 per ounce, achieving a weekly gain of 2.5%.

The jobs report released by the Department of Labor showed that non-farm jobs increased by 206,000 in June, with a downward revision of about 111,000 jobs for April and May data. Wages increased by 3.9% over 12 months, marking the slowest pace in 3 years.