Fresh signs of consumer weakness emerged Friday as U.S. retail sales fell 0.6% in July, missing economist expectations. A preliminary August reading for the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index also dropped 8%, reversing prior gains. These indicators, combined with recent weak job growth, suggest a potential soft patch for American consumers.

Oil prices climbed following an attack on a tanker in the Persian Gulf and threats of tougher restrictions on Iran's economy. Front-month Brent crude rose 1.67% to $88.52 per barrel, marking a 5.95% weekly increase.

Treasury yields continued to rise amid debt concerns. The 10-year Treasury yield increased to 4.695%. Notably, a U.S. 30-year Treasury bond auction on Thursday yielded 5.216%, the highest in 25 years. Separately, Cami Clark, an advisor to AI chief Dario Amodei at Anthropic, maintains a low profile despite her influence.