Global equity markets ended Friday on a cautious note as rising oil prices, renewed tensions between the United States and Iran and weaker American economic data unsettled investors. Wall Street slipped from record territory, European shares ended a four-week winning streak and Asian markets delivered a mixed finish.
Asian markets divide
Japan and South Korea led the gains in Asia. The Nikkei 225 advanced 0.59% to 68,713.80, while the broader Topix added 0.51%. South Korea’s Kospi surged 2.42% to 6,977.94, supported by semiconductor shares and reduced expectations of an imminent US interest-rate increase.
Elsewhere, sentiment was weaker. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 1.10% to 25,116.85, while the Shanghai Composite lost approximately 0.5%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell around 0.8%, India’s Sensex slipped 0.09% to 78,009.25 and the Nifty 50 declined 0.12%.
The wider MSCI index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan nevertheless finished 0.29% higher, reflecting the strength of selected technology markets.
Europe ends winning run
The pan-European STOXX 600 closed 0.2% lower at 657.86 and recorded a weekly decline of 0.3%, ending four consecutive weeks of gains. Higher energy costs and uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz outweighed continued optimism over European corporate earnings.
Healthcare shares led the losses with a 1.5% decline, while defence stocks gained 1.2%. Software companies also attracted buyers following reports of takeover interest in the sector. Shipping group Maersk jumped 8.7% after stronger results and an improved outlook.
London’s FTSE 100 declined 0.2% to 10,750.11, posting its first weekly loss since early July. Mining companies were among the main drags as copper prices weakened. France’s CAC 40 slipped approximately 0.2%, while German shares performed more strongly than most regional markets.
Wall Street retreats from record
US stocks surrendered early gains after disappointing retail sales and consumer confidence figures raised concerns about slowing economic momentum. The S&P 500 fell 0.17% to 7,785.76, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.20% to 53,732.41 and the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.28% to 26,729.16.
Semiconductor companies weighed heavily on the technology sector. Applied Materials dropped 5.1%, Broadcom fell 5.9% and Intel lost 2% as investors questioned elevated valuations surrounding artificial intelligence-related companies.
Despite Friday’s retreat, the S&P 500 gained 0.4% over the week and the Nasdaq added 0.1%, giving both indices their third consecutive weekly advance.
Oil becomes the dominant risk
Brent crude settled 1.67% higher at $88.52 a barrel, while US crude rose 1.42% to $82.40. The increase followed stalled US-Iran negotiations and concerns about continued disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The dollar index declined 0.28% to 99.65 as weak retail sales reduced expectations of a Federal Reserve rate increase in September. Gold gained 0.53% to $4,374.27 an ounce, while the US ten-year Treasury yield rose to 4.688%.
Markets will enter the new week balancing strong corporate earnings and reduced interest-rate fears against rising energy prices, geopolitical uncertainty and signs of softer consumer demand.
Newshub Editorial in Global markets – 15 August 2026
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