U.S. stock indexes closed their best week in two months with a flourish on Friday. The S&P 500 climbed 1% to clinch its first winning week in the last three. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 334 points,

BMO Capital Markets forecasts the S&P 500 will reach 6,700, reflecting a gain of 13.2%. Chief investment strategist Brian Belski said he and his team "remain resolutely bullish," but expect "performance and fundamentals will more closely match the historical norms -- namely, in the high-single digit/low-double-digit percentage range in 2025."

Global shares are mostly higher following a rally on Wall Street driven by encouraging update on U.S. inflation. Oil prices slipped and U.S. futures edged higher.

The stock market had a bull run this week, with the S&P 500 making gains in four of the days and jumping 3.4% over the five-day trading period, its best numbers since the 2024 presidential election. Market players reacted positive to favorable inflation data for December,

Wall Street is set for its best week since November, with major indexes like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rising significantly. Big Tech stocks, dubbed the "Magnificent Seven," are leading gains amid easing Treasury yields and encouraging inflation data.

Asian shares are mixed after gains for oil and gas producers helped offset drops for Nvidia and other Big Tech companies on Wall Street.