Global markets closed on a mixed note as investors weighed a sharp rise in US wholesale inflation and looked ahead to a crucial meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In the United States, the producer price index rose by 0.9 percent in July, well above forecasts. The increase points to growing inflationary pressures, despite subdued consumer price figures released earlier in the week.
On Wall Street, the main stock indices ended little changed, reflecting uncertainty over the inflation outlook and the upcoming US–Russia talks. In Europe, markets posted modest gains as investors sought opportunities ahead of the weekend.
Oil prices rose about two percent, driven by fears that an unsuccessful summit could pave the way for tougher US sanctions on Russian crude, potentially tightening global supply.
