<h1>Global markets mixed as U.S. stocks slip after eight-day run, gold tops $4,000, dollar strengthens, oil edges up</h1> Global equity markets showed mixed moves after U.S. indexes fell for the first time in eight days, while gold surged above $4,000 an ounce amid inflation and geopolitical uncertainty. European benchmarks rose modestly as a departing French premier sought to resolve a political impasse, while Asian markets were uneven with Japan's market pressured by expectations that an incoming conservative government will delay interest-rate hikes. The dollar strengthened versus the euro and yen. A major automaker and a large software firm weighed on U.S. indices after product and margin concerns. Oil prices ticked higher.