Reuters

British businesses are their least optimistic about the economy in six months and their overall confidence levels remain slightly below average, a survey showed on Monday, adding to a lackluster outlook for the economy.

The Federal Reserve’s $4.5 trillion balance sheet is not doing a lot to boost the U.S. economy at this time and trimming it gradually is the right thing to do, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said on Friday.

The U.S. dollar was broadly lower on Friday as a combination of uninspiring U.S. economic data and political uncertainty kept traders biased toward the euro and other world currencies.

Gold prices rose to a six-week high on Friday.

Oil ended its strongest week this year with a surge on Friday, built on receding fears of oversupply, as U.S. crude came within striking distance of $50 a barrel for the first time since the end of May.

The S&P 500 slipped on Friday on negative reactions to earnings reports from high-profile names such as Amazon, Exxon and Starbucks and a drop in shares of tobacco companies.

Stock markets fell worldwide on Friday as results from some big U.S. companies disappointed and tobacco shares dropped, while oil prices had their biggest weekly percentage rise this year.

The U.S. economy accelerated in the second quarter as consumers ramped up spending and businesses invested more on equipment.

The U.S. dollar was broadly lower on Friday as a combination of underwhelming U.S. economic data and political uncertainty kept traders biased toward the euro and other world currencies.

Data in the coming week should confirm the euro zone economy is running hot, although inflation figures could throw cold water on ECB plans to start tightening policy.