Broad market indices in the United States ended lower on the 14th, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.20%, the S&P 500 dropping 0.17%, and the Nasdaq Composite declining 0.28%. Data released by the U.S. Commerce Department showed that July retail figures were disappointing across all categories, indicating emerging signs of weakness in domestic consumer spending. Additionally, a pullback in some AI sector stocks weighed on overall market performance.
European stock markets showed mixed results on the 14th, influenced by a decline in mining stocks due to lower copper prices and heightened uncertainty from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The UK's FTSE 100 fell 0.21%, France's CAC 40 dropped 0.16%, while Germany's DAX rose 0.53%.
International crude oil prices climbed on the 14th after the United States threatened to impose "unprecedented" economic isolation measures on Iran and hinted at the possibility of indefinite maritime blockades. The price of light sweet crude for September delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange settled at $82.40 per barrel, up 1.42%, while Brent crude for October delivery on the London ICE Futures Exchange closed at $88.52 per barrel, gaining 1.67%.
Precious metal prices also advanced on the 14th, driven by a decline in the U.S. Dollar Index. Gold futures for December delivery on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange ended at $4,437.30 per ounce, up 0.38%, while silver futures for September delivery settled at $65.108 per ounce, rising 0.18%.
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