Mixed Inflation Data Sends Global Shares into Decline

Global shares mostly fell on Friday after mixed US inflation data indicated a better-than-expected slowdown in wholesale prices. The S&P 500 futures edged 0.1% higher while those for the Dow Jones Industrial Average were down 0.1%. In Europe, Britain's FTSE 100 declined 0.3%, Germany's DAX rose 0.5%, and France's CAC 40 was nearly unchanged.

Investors welcomed a report that US wholesale inflation slowed to 4.7% in July, below the 5.5% rate in June and slightly better than economists' forecasts. If this trend continues, the Federal Reserve may decide against raising interest rates, which would help combat inflation but also slow economic growth.

Oil prices rebounded after a day of decline, with Brent crude gaining 1% to $87.96 per barrel and US benchmark crude surging 1.7% to $82.60 per barrel. The US dollar fell against the Japanese yen, while the euro rose against the US dollar.