Wall Street extends gains, Nasdaq Composite adds 191 points

NEW YORK, New York - U.S. equity markets closed higher on Friday, with all major indices posting solid gains as investors maintained a positive risk appetite at week's end.

The Standard and Poor's 500 finished at 6,966.28, advancing 44.82 points, or 0.65 percent, in active trading. The benchmark index moved between 6,917.64 and 6,978.36 during the session, finishing just below its intraday high.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average also recorded a strong close, rising 237.96 points, or 0.48 percent, to end at 49,504.07. The index traded in a range of 49,197.06 to 49,571.41, reflecting steady gains among blue-chip stocks.

Technology shares outperformed, lifting the NASDAQ Composite by 191.33 points, or 0.81 percent, to 23,671.35, supported by continued strength in large-cap tech names.

Global foreign exchange markets saw the U.S. dollar strengthening against the major currencies Friday, as traders weighed economic data and shifting interest rate expectations.

The euro slipped against the greenback, with EUR/USD trading at 1.1634, down 0.21 percent on the day.

Sterling also weakened, as GBP/USD fell 0.21 percent to 1.3407, reflecting modest pressure on European currencies.

In Asia, the U.S. dollar advanced against the Japanese yen, with USD/JPY rising 0.68 percent to 157.89, extending recent gains. The dollar also strengthened versus the Swiss franc, as USD/CHF climbed 0.25 percent to 0.8007.

Commodity-linked currencies showed a softer tone. The Australian dollar eased against its U.S. counterpart, with AUD/USD down 0.12 percent at 0.6690, while the New Zealand dollar recorded a steeper decline, slipping 0.31 percent to 0.57332 against the greenback.

Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar gained ground against the Canadian dollar, with USD/CAD rising 0.41 percent to 1.3912, as movements in oil prices and broader market sentiment influenced trading.

Global equity markets finished mostly higher on Friday, with gains across Europe and Asia offsetting mixed performances in the Asia-Pacific region and declines in some emerging markets.

In Canada, the S&P/TSX Composite Index ended the day higher, gaining 234.29 points, or 0.72 percent, to close at 32,612.93, as broad-based buying pushed the benchmark to a firm finish for the week.

In London, the FTSE 100 closed at 10,124.60, rising 79.91 points, or 0.80 percent, as investor sentiment remained supported by strength in heavyweight stocks. The index traded between 10,032.92 and 10,135.70 during the session.

Germany's DAX advanced 134.18 points, or 0.53 percent, to end at 25,261.64, after touching an intraday high of 25,281.18. In Paris, the CAC 40 recorded a stronger performance, climbing 118.63 points, or 1.44 percent, to finish at 8,362.09, its session high.

The broader European market also posted solid gains. The EURO STOXX 50 rose 93.15 points, or 1.58 percent, to 5,997.47, while the Euronext 100 Index added 25.83 points, or 1.47 percent, closing at 1,778.31. Belgium's BEL 20 edged higher by 11.67 points, or 0.22 percent, to 5,240.44.

In Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index ended modestly higher at 26,231.79, up 82.48 points, or 0.32 percent. Singapore's STI Index gained 5.59 points, or 0.12 percent, to close at 4,744.66.

Australian markets finished slightly lower. The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 3.00 points, or 0.03 percent, to 8,717.80, while the All Ordinaries eased 0.60 points, or 0.01 percent, to 9,045.90.

In South Asia, India's S&P BSE Sensex declined sharply, falling 604.72 points, or 0.72 percent, to close at 83,576.24, retreating from earlier session highs.

Elsewhere in the region, Indonesia's IDX Composite added 11.28 points, or 0.13 percent, to 8,936.75, while Malaysia's FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI gained 16.97 points, or 1.02 percent, ending the day at 1,686.54. New Zealand's S&P/NZX 50 Index Gross fell 20.61 points, or 0.15 percent, to 13,696.25.

North Asian markets were mixed. South Korea's KOSPI Composite Index rose 33.95 points, or 0.75 percent, to close at 4,586.32. Taiwan's TWSE Capitalization Weighted Stock Index slipped 71.59 points, or 0.24 percent, ending at 30,288.96.

Japan's Nikkei 225 posted a strong finish, surging 822.63 points, or 1.61 percent, to close at 51,939.89. Mainland Chinese equities also advanced, with the SSE Composite Index rising 37.45 points, or 0.92 percent, to 4,120.43, supported by broad-based buying.

In other markets, South Africa's Top 40 USD Net TRI Index gained 90.09 points, or 1.27 percent, to close at 7,186.78, rounding out a broadly positive end to the week for global equities. Most Middle East markets meantime were closed Friday and will reopen on Sunday.

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