Ambiguous moods on Wall Street − Chip companies and oil in decline

The US stock market ended in mixed moods on Friday, as the drop in oil prices eased inflation concerns, but a sell-off in chip stocks weighed on tech stocks.

Investors are also assessing the latest twists and turns in the US-Iran conflict ahead of the weekend.

The S&P 500, which tracks broad large companies, advanced 0.05 percent. The technology-focused Nasdaq weakened by 0.6 percent. The flagship Dow Jones index rose 0.5 percent.

Dow Jonesia we are Applewhose share rose 3.5 percent.

The price of oil fell on Friday from the peaks of the previous week. The price of the benchmark Brent fell to $97.26 per barrel. Earlier in the week, Brent had traded above $100 per barrel. The price of US WTI crude oil fell to $89.68 per barrel.

Oil was weighed down by Reuters’ information that Pakistan is exploring the possibility of starting new peace talks between the United States and Iran. According to Reuters, the initiative originates from China. However, according to sources, the obstacles to negotiations with the United States are still high.

The geopolitical risk still did not leave the market. According to the New York Times, the president Donald Trump met with his advisers and senior members of his administration on Friday to decide whether the United States will expand its strikes on Iran.

Trump told Axios he was considering a “massive strike” on Iran. According to him, the blow would be greater than any previous in this war, and the decision is near.

During the night, the US Central Command carried out the 13th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian targets.

Chip stocks were under pressure on Friday. VanEck Semiconductor ETF, which tracks semiconductor companies, fell three percent.

Intel fell eight percent, even though the company’s second-quarter results exceeded Wall Street’s expectations. Broadcom and Advanced Micro Devices decreased by approximately three percent each. Micron Technology weakened by seven percent.

Network equipment manufacturer on the New York Stock Exchange Nokian depository receipt, or ADR, fell 6.8 percent to $9.07.