Equity markets experienced consolidation to close out the week, with S&P 500 futures trading slightly lower but maintaining levels near a one-month high around 6,854. Market participants weighed conflicting U.S. economic signals, as core CPI data came in below expectations at 0.2%, but consumer sentiment revealed growing concerns over inflation. Broader markets adopted a wait-and-see attitude amid ongoing Middle East negotiations and the looming start of corporate earnings season, led by the banking sector next week. Despite minor selling pressure on Friday, all major averages ended the week positively after recovering much of March's downside action.