Dow Jones closed up 38.78 points after the United States revealed retail sales for the month. January rose more than expected.

Indices and stock market conditions, oil, gold and foreign money markets as of 15 Feb. 2566.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed higher on Wednesday (February 15) after US retail sales figures showed a stronger-than-expected surge in January, indicating economic recovery. However, the gains were limited as investors remained concerned that the Federal Reserve (Fed) would continue to raise interest rates.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 34,128.05 points, up 38.78 points or + 0.11%, the S&P 500 Index closed at 4,147.60 points, up 11.47 points or +0.28%, and the Nasdaq Index closed at 12,070.59 points, up 110.45 points or +0.92%.

European stock markets closed higher on Wednesday (February 15), boosted by gains in luxury goods stocks, which propelled the French stock market to a record high and helped overshadow concerns about strong US economic data that could pave the way for further interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.

The STOXX 600 index closed at 464.36 points, up 1.96 points or +0.42%.
CAC-40 index, the French stock market closed at 7,300.86 points, an increase of 87.05 points or +1.21%, the German stock market DAX index closed at 15,506.34 points, an increase of 125.78 points or +0.82% and the FTSE 100 London Stock Exchange index closed at 7,997.83 points, an increase of 43.98 points or +0.55%

The London stock market closed higher on Wednesday (February 15) after briefly surging above 8,000 points to a record high before retreating. The market was boosted by a fall in the pound following the release of data indicating that UK inflation had fallen more than expected.

The FTSE 100 London Stock Exchange Index closed at 7,997.83 points, up 43.98 points or +0.55% after touching 8,003.65 points in morning trading.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures in New York closed lower on Wednesday (February 15), pressured by a stronger dollar and concerns that interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve (Fed) would slow the economy and oil demand.

The WTI crude oil contract is for delivery in March. fell 47 cents, or 0.6%, to close at $78.59 a barrel.
As for the Brent crude oil contract (BRENT), delivered in April. fell 20 cents, or 0.2%, to close at $85.38 a barrel.

Gold futures on the New York market closed lower, hitting their lowest level in more than five weeks on Wednesday (February 15), as a stronger dollar and concerns about rising interest rates weighed on the market.

The COMEX (Commodity Exchange) gold contract will be delivered in April. fell 20.1 dollars or 1.08% to close at 1,845.3 dollars/ounce. This is the lowest closing level since January 5, 2566.
Silver metal contracts for delivery in March. Down 30.1 cents, or 1.38%, to settle at $21.572/ounce.
The platinum contract was delivered in April. down $21.4, or 2.28%, to close at $917.8/ounce.
The palladium contract will be delivered in March. She fell $21.70, or 1.5%, to close at $1,444.50/ounce.

The US dollar strengthened against major currencies in trading at the New York foreign exchange market on Wednesday (February 15) after the US released stronger-than-expected retail sales figures, which could support the Federal Reserve's (Fed) continued interest rate hikes.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, was up 6 percent to 0.65.
The US dollar strengthened against the yen to 134.15 yen from 133.05 yen and against the Swiss franc to 0.9243 franc from 0.9214 franc. The US dollar also strengthened against the yen. with the Canadian dollar at 1.3399 Canadian dollars from 1.3337 Canadian dollars. and strengthened against the Swedish krona at 10.4396 kronor from 10.3572 kronor.
The euro was weaker against the dollar at $1.0683 from $1.0738, while the pound was weaker to $1.2023 from $1.2175.