Global Stocks Mixed as Oil Rises and Dollar Slips

Major stock markets traded mixed in thin summer trading on Friday, with oil prices edging higher and the dollar slipping as investors assessed the outlook for US interest rates and the war in the Middle East, CBS News and The Associated Press AP) reported.

Global stock markets traded mixed Friday as investors weighed US inflation data, interest-rate expectations and continuing tensions in the Middle East.

Data released this week showing cooler US inflation has bolstered expectations that the Federal Reserve will not rush to raise interest rates. However, with the US-

Iran conflict showing little sign of ending soon, concerns about persistent inflation continued to weigh on markets.

In European midday trading, London shares dipped while Paris and Frankfurt advanced, following gains on Wall Street on Thursday that pushed the S&P 500 to another record high.

Energy prices have swung sharply in recent weeks as renewed fighting in the Middle East has alternated with hopes for a peace agreement.

South Korea's Kospi index had fallen about 40 percent from its June high to an intraday low on Aug. 6, but has since rebounded by more than 20 percent.

Friday also saw gains in Tokyo, where technology giants Kioxia, Advantest and Sony rallied along with technology investment giant SoftBank.