U.S. equities revved higher into the close to finish mixed in the final session of a volatile week that saw some key retail sector earnings reports exacerbate inflation worries. The S&P 500 posted its seventh-straight weekly loss, and is on the cusp of bear territory, as Ross Stores joined a host of retailers, notably Dow member Walmart and Target, in missing earnings projections and lowering guidance. In other earnings news, Applied Materials and Deere & Company both posted results that disappointed the Street, due to supply chain challenges and inflation pressures, while Palo Alto Networks topped profit projections and raised its guidance on strong cybersecurity demand. The economic calendar was void of any major releases today and Treasuries moved higher to apply some downside pressure on yields. The U.S. dollar rebounded from yesterday's drop, crude oil prices were slightly higher, and gold was little changed. Most European markets finished in the green, and markets in Asia were broadly higher after China cut a key lending rate.

Stocks reverse course and give up early gains.

Wheat faces more uncertainty.