By Gokhan Ergocun
ISTANBUL (AA) - The New York Stock Exchange ended the last trading day of the week in the green despite concerns about increased geopolitical risks.
The Equity markets, where the debate between the US and Ukraine caused volatility, finished Friday with big gains.
A planned news conference between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was canceled, and a rare earth agreement that was expected to be signed Friday was not inked after the men got into a heated exchange during a meeting at the White House.
Trump told Zelensky: “You're either going to make a deal or we're out, you're gambling with World War III.”
On the other hand, Trump stated on Truth Social: "Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations.
"He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace."
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said it is very difficult to make an economic deal with a leader who does not want to make a peace deal.
On the macroeconomic side, personal consumption expenditures in the US decreased by 0.2% in January, contrary to expectations for an increase.
Personal incomes increased 0.9% in January, above expectations, compared to the previous month.
The core personal consumption expenditure price index, which the Fed considers an inflation indicator, excluding food and energy items from the calculation, increased 0.3% on a monthly basis and 2.6% on an annual basis last month, in line with expectations.
The US goods trade deficit also hit a record high in January, reaching $153.3 billion, up 25.6% compared to the previous month.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 1.39%, or 601.41 points, to end the day at 43,840.91.
The S&P 500 soared 1.59%, or 92.93 points, to 5,954.50, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.63%, or 302.86 points, to 18,847.28.
The VIX Index, also known as the “fear index," dropped 7.1% to 19.63.