US benchmark equity indexes fell Friday as markets evaluated the latest economic data, including a survey showing a drop in consumer sentiment and an increase in inflation expectations.

* US consumer sentiment in January declined for the first time in six months as inflations expectations rose, final results from the University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers showed.

* "Concerns over the future trajectory of inflation were visible throughout the interviews and were tied to beliefs about anticipated policies like tariffs," said Joanne Hsu, director of the surveys of consumers.

* US private-sector output growth slowed on a sequential basis in January, reaching a nine-month low of 52.4, according to S&P Global's (SPGI) flash purchasing managers' index.

* "US businesses are starting 2025 in an upbeat mood on hopes that the new (Trump) administration will help drive stronger economic growth," said Chris Williamson, S&P Global Market Intelligence chief business economist.

* March West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed up $0.01 to settle at $74.63 per barrel, while March Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen $0.19 higher at $78.48. President Donald Trump roiled markets by urging Saudi Arabia to bring down oil prices and continued to threaten stiff tariffs on imports from Canada.

* Novo Nordisk (NVO) said its investigative weight loss drug, amycretin, led to a body weight reduction of up to 22% in an early-stage trial. The Danish pharmaceutical giant's US-listed shares jumped 8.5%.

* Texas Instruments (TXN) shares slumped 7.5%, a day after the company issued a downbeat Q1 earnings outlook.