US stocks mixed after producer inflation figures

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) – US stocks were mixed on Friday after release of producer inflation figures.

The Dow Jones was down 104 points, or 0.28%, to 37,607 at 10.04 a.m. EDT.

The S&P 500, on the other hand, rose two points, or 0.05%, to stand at 4,783. The tech-heavy Nasdaq increased 14 points, or 0.1%, to 14,984.

US producer inflation annually rose 1% in December, but fell 0.1% on a monthly basis, according to the Labor Department.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, was up 1.6% to 12.64. The 10-year US Treasury yield fell 1.3% to 3.927%.

The dollar index decreased 0.14% to 102.14, while the euro rose 0.13% to $1.0984 against the greenback.

Precious metals were in positive territory, with gold rising 1.8% to $1,993 per ounce and silver soaring 3.1% to $23.43.

Oil prices jumped 2.7% with global benchmark Brent crude at $79.44 per barrel, and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude at $73.94 a barrel.