Wall Street Mixed as Oil Falls From $101; Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite Split

U.S. stocks traded mixed on Friday as oil prices eased after briefly touching $101 earlier in the session, offering some relief to investors worried about inflation and geopolitical risks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged higher, supported by gains in energy and defensive stocks. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 slipped slightly as weakness in technology and consumer stocks weighed on the broader market.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined as investors rotated out of growth stocks following a strong run earlier this week. Semiconductor shares were mixed, with some companies giving up recent gains after strong rallies.

Energy stocks held firm as oil prices remained elevated despite pulling back from intraday highs. However, uncertainty around the Middle East situation and its potential impact on global energy supply continued to keep markets cautious.

Overall, investors remained focused on geopolitical developments, oil price movements, and upcoming economic data for clearer direction in the market.