A specialist trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York City, US, October 17, 2022. although they were set for a weekly loss amid US election jitters, while oil prices rose due to concerns about fighting in the Middle East.
The benchmark S&P 500 was on track to finish the week slightly lower, although gains in technology and communication services stocks were pushing the index higher on the session. The European shares index ended slightly lower 0.04% after giving up gains in choppy trading and finished 1.2% lower. “Over time, interest rates, inflation and the economy are the leading factors that affect the stock market,” said Tom Plumb, CEO and portfolio manager at Plumb Funds in Madison, Wisconsin.