Wall Street edged slightly higher on Friday, with major equity indices showing modest gains at midday in New York. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 are on track to record their best week since October 2023, driven by stronger-than-expected economic data that eased earlier concerns of a recession. If they close in the green, they will secure the seventh straight positive session. On Friday, the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index for August exceeded expectations, adding to a series of positive data, including lower-than-anticipated jobless claims and strong retail sales growth reported the day before. Gold was the standout performer, climbing 1.5% to reach a record high of $2,500 per ounce, as traders positioned themselves in anticipation of imminent Federal Reserve rate cuts. This surge in gold prices boosted gold mining stocks, with the VanEck Gold Miners ...