Weak U.S. Data Sparks Global Sell-Off, Pressures Treasury Yields

Investor concerns were heightened by weak U.S. economic data, leading to a global sell-off in equities and multi-month lows for U.S. Treasury yields. Technology stocks bore the brunt, with the VIX volatility index rising. Safe havens like government debt and gold surged as rate cut expectations grew.

Investor concerns were reignited on Friday as weak U.S. economic data spurred a global sell-off in equities, driving U.S. Treasury yields to multi-month lows.

Technology stocks experienced significant losses, while an index of European bank stocks saw its largest weekly decline in 17 months due to soft earnings. The VIX volatility index, often referred to as Wall Street's fear gauge, surged.

Investors flocked to safe havens including government debt and gold, as the U.S. jobs report revealed unexpected economic weakness. Markets had already been shaken by disappointing earnings from Amazon and Intel, compounded by a lackluster U.S. factory activity survey and a decline in non-farm payroll job growth.

(With inputs from agencies.)