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Wall St closes lower; gold climbs amid financial, geopolitical crosswinds

U.S. stocks dithered on Thursday, swinging from red to green and back as investors contended with the pushpull of a strong economy and restrictive Federal Reserve policy.

Benchmark Treasury yields resumed their climb and gold added strength as continuous chaos in the Middle East strengthened the safe-haven play.

All 3 major U.S. stock indexes fluctuated throughout the session, with weak point in the chip sector weighing the Nasdaq down the most.

The S&P 500 signed up with the Nasdaq at a loss, while the blue-chip Dow eked out a nominal gain.

All three indexes were on course for weekly declines.

New York City Fed President John Williams, mentioning financial strength, stated on Thursday he does not see a persuading case for cutting the central bank's policy rate now.

On Tuesday Fed Chair Jerome Powell declined to offer guidance on when rates may be decreased.

Markets are still recalibrating what 'higher for longer' means and whether there will be any rate of interest cut at all this year from the Fed, said Oliver Pursche, senior vice president at Wealthspire Advisors in New York.

If four months ago I stated there's a real possibility the Fed won't lower rates at all in 2024, the response would have likely been that will create a massive sell off in stocks, Pursche included.

So why hasn't it? The reason is corporate incomes appear to be strong, the economy is continuing to carry out well and inflation continues to cool off albeit in an uneven way, he stated.

A survey of 100 financial experts showed the Fed will execute its very first rate cut in September, and cut possibly when more this year.

Eventually every central bank prefers being neutral in its policy position as opposed to either accommodative or limiting, Pursche stated. The Fed wishes to have the ability to signal that they've done a great job and the very best way to do that is to lower rates.

Economic data launched on Thursday painted a blended photo, with low out of work claims and strong factory data versus weaker-than-expected home sales and leading financial index readings.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 22.07 points, or 0.06%, to 37,775.38, the S&P 500 lost 11.09 points, or 0.22%, to 5,011.12 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 81.87 points, or 0.52%, to 15,601.50.

European stocks ended higher as upbeat results raised the benchmark index, balancing out uncertainties surrounding geopolitical tensions and the timing of reserve bank rate cuts.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index increased 0.24%, while MSCI's gauge of stocks around the world %.

Emerging market stocks rose 0.46%. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan closed 0.57%. higher, while Japan's Nikkei increased 0.31%.

Treasury yields hovered near their greatest levels considering that. November as strong economic information enhanced warnings from Fed. officials that the inflation cool-down might have stalled.

Criteria 10-year notes last fell 12/32 in price. to yield 4.6326%, from 4.585% late on Wednesday.

The 30-year bond last fell 16/32 in cost to. yield 4.7323%, from 4.699% late on Wednesday.

The dollar increased versus a basket of world currencies as information. verified the U.S. economy is on strong ground, supporting the. concept that the Fed might postpone its first rate cut.

The dollar index rose 0.19%, with the euro. down 0.26% to $1.0643.

The Japanese yen compromised 0.15% versus the greenback at. 154.62 per dollar. Sterling was last trading at $1.2436,. down 0.08% on the day.

Petroleum prices held near a three-week low as combined. economic information was balanced out by U.S. sanctions on Venezuela and Iran. and simmering Middle East stress.

U.S. unrefined inched up 0.05% to settle at $82.73 per. barrel, while Brent settled at $87.11 down 0.21% on the. day.

Gold climbed up as the safe-haven metal benefited from ongoing. Middle East chaos and the possibility of less than anticipated U.S. rate cuts this year.

Area gold added 0.8% to $2,379.98 an ounce.

(source: Reuters)