NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets closed out the week on a positive note Friday with all the major indices finishing in the black.

Personal income increased $94.5 billion (0.4 percent at a monthly rate) in September, according to estimates released in a statement Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Disposable personal income (DPI)—personal income less personal current taxes—increased $75.9 billion (0.3 percent) and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $65.1 billion (0.3 percent).

Personal outlays—the sum of PCE, personal interest payments, and personal current transfer payments—increased $70.7 billion in September.Personal savingwas $1.09 trillion in September and thepersonal saving rate—personal saving as a percentage of disposable personal income—was 4.7 percent.

The Standard and Poor's 500 finished higher, adding 13.28 points, or 0.19 percent, to close at a record 6,870.40. The benchmark traded between an intraday low of 6,858.29 and a high of 6,895.78, remaining near the upper end of its 12-month range of 4,835.04 to 6,920.34. Trading volume totaled approximately 3.05 billion shares.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average also posted gains, rising 104.05 points, or 0.22 percent, to settle at 47,954.99. The index touched a session low of 47,871.51 and a high of 48,133.54, staying close to its all-time peaks within a yearly range of 36,611.78 to 48,431.57. About 436 million shares changed hands.

Technology stocks led the advance on Wall Street, with the NASDAQ Composite climbing 72.99 points, or 0.31 percent, to end the day and ther week at 23,578.13. The gains reflected continued strength in large-cap tech names and renewed investor appetite for growth stocks.

Overall, Friday's session highlighted a positive tone on Wall Street driven by steady buying in technology and industrial stocks.

U.S. Dollar Mixed Against Major Currencies at Friday FX Close

The U.S. dollar ended Friday's foreign exchange session on a mixed footing against its major global counterparts, retreating against commodity-linked currencies while strengthening modestly against several traditional safe havens, as traders assessed global growth prospects and shifting interest-rate expectations.

The euro edged slightly lower against the greenback, with the EUR/USD pair last trading at 1.1640, down 0.03 percent on the day. The single currency softened late in the session amid subdued eurozone economic momentum and lingering uncertainty over the region's outlook.

The U.S. dollar strengthened against the Japanese yen, with USD/JPY rising to 155.30, up 0.16 percent. The move reflected continued yield differentials between U.S. and Japanese bonds, which have kept the yen under sustained pressure.

The Canadian dollar recorded a strong gain Friday, pushing the USD/CAD pair sharply lower to 1.3833, a decline of 0.89 percent on the session. The loonie was supported by firmer commodity prices and improved risk sentiment.

Sterling posted a mild advance, with the British pound edging up to 1.3327 US dollars, an increase of 0.03 percent. The modest gain reflected a cautious tone among traders ahead of upcoming UK economic data and central bank guidance.

The Swiss franc weakened slightly Friday, with USD/CHF climbing to 0.8043, a gain of 0.15 percent for the US currency. Trading remained relatively muted as investors balanced risk appetite with lingering geopolitical uncertainty.

The Australian dollar outperformed, with AUD/USD rising to 0.6636, up a solid 0.43 percent. The currency was supported by stronger global risk appetite and optimism around Asia-Pacific economic conditions.

The New Zealand dollar also firmed, with NZD/USD advancing to 0.5772, an increase of 0.25 percent, tracking gains across other growth-sensitive currencies.

Overall, Friday's currency markets reflected a cautious softening in the US dollar against commodity-linked and higher-yielding currencies, while the greenback retained strength against safe-haven units. Traders are now looking ahead to the new week for fresh guidance from economic data releases and central bank commentary that could shape near-term FX direction.

Global Markets Mixed at Friday Close as Asia Gains and Europe Finishes Cautiously

Global share markets ended Friday's session on a mixed note, with Asian markets largely higher while most major European benchmarks closed modestly lower as investors weighed economic data, central bank outlooks and commodity price movements.

Canadian equities moved lower. The S&P/TSX Composite Index fell 166.16 points, or 0.53 percent, to close at 31,311.41, giving back some of its recent gains as weakness in resource and financial stocks weighed on the broader market. Trading volume reached approximately 266 million shares.

In London, the FTSE 100 lost ground, slipping 43.86 points, or 0.45 percent, to finish at 9,667.01. The index traded between a session low of 9,667.01 and a high of 9,738.26. Over the past year, the benchmark has moved between 7,544.80 and 9,930.10.

In Europe, Germany's DAX advanced, rising 146.11 points, or 0.61 percent, to close at 24,028.14. The index touched an intraday high of 24,130.92 and a low of 23,929.26, remaining near its record levels within a 12-month range of 18,489.91 to 24,771.34.

In France the CAC 40 edged lower Friday, easing 7.29 points, or 0.09 percent, to finish at 8,114.74, after trading between 8,114.74 and 8,160.81. The index remains well above its yearly low of 6,763.76.

The pan-European EURO STOXX 50 posted a narrow gain of 5.85 points, or 0.10 percent, closing at 5,723.93, after ranging between 5,723.91 and 5,749.06. The broader Euronext 100 Index slipped 3.78 points, or 0.22 percent, to 1,705.34.

Belgium's BEL 20 bucked the regional trend, climbing 16.39 points, or 0.33 percent, to 5,029.74, with the index trading near the top of its recent range.

In Asia, sentiment was generally stronger. on Friday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 149.18 points, or 0.58 percent, to close at 26,085.08, trading as high as 26,131.61 during the session. Singapore's STI Index slipped marginally, down 3.78 points, or 0.08 percent, to 4,531.36.

China's Shanghai Composite Index rose 27.01 points, or 0.70 percent, to finish at 3,902.81, supported by renewed buying in large-cap industrial and technology shares.

Japan was the notable regional underperformer, with the Nikkei 225 tumbling 536.55 points, or 1.05 percent, to close at 50,491.87, as profit-taking weighed on heavyweight exporters.

Australian equities finished higher, with the S&P/ASX 200 adding 16.20 points, or 0.19 percent, to close at 8,634.60. The broader All Ordinaries index rose 19.40 points, or 0.22 percent, to 8,926.10, both hovering near recent highs.

New Zealand's S&P/NZX 50 declined 31.63 points, or 0.23 percent, to close at 13,483.99.

India's S&P BSE Sensex extended gains, climbing 447.05 points, or 0.52 percent, to finish at 85,712.37, after touching an intraday high of 85,796.72.

In Southeast Asia, Indonesia's IDX Composite slipped 7.44 points, or 0.09 percent, to 8,632.76, while in Malaysia the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI fell 4.55 points, or 0.28 percent, to 1,616.52.

Northeast Asian markets delivered notable gains. South Korea's KOSPI surged 71.54 points, or 1.78 percent, to 4,100.05, with trading volume exceeding 478,000.

In Taiwan the TWSE Weighted Index advanced 185.18 points, or 0.67 percent, to 27,980.89.

Middle East markets were closed on Friday and will re-open on Sunday.

IIn Africa, South Africa's Top 40 USD Net TRI Index climbed strongly, gaining 112.74 points, or 1.72 percent, to 6,649.98, reflecting strength in resource and financial stocks.

Overall, Friday's session reflected a cautious end to the week in Europe, solid momentum across much of Asia, and fresh volatility in Japan, as markets continue to navigate shifting global growth expectations and interest-rate outlooks.

(This report incorporates quotes retrieved with the assistance of artificial intelligence).

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