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Other key earnings figures also moved markets: McDonald's expressed optimism with a 3% rise on better-than-expected quarterly profits, while Walt Disney disappointed investors as its stock declined by around 3% after missing earnings expectations.
Currency and Commodity Trends
The Australian dollar traded just above 65 U.S. cents, reflecting some divergence in currency markets. Meanwhile, a weakening U.S. dollar has exerted downward pressure on commodity prices, notably crude oil. Oil prices have declined by more than 6% over the course of the week, with intraday drops reaching 4%. By the close of trading, oil was down about 1.6%, indicating potential headwinds for energy stocks in the near term.