New Delhi, 12 January (H.S.): Global markets conveyed robust strength on Monday, buoyed by Wall Street's prior session gains, though Dow Jones futures dipped amid scrutiny over Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

European indices closed higher Friday, while Asian bourses predominantly advanced, fostering optimism ahead of Indian market openings.

Wall Street's Record Surge Meets Futures Caution

U.S. markets exhibited sustained buying pressure throughout Friday's session, propelling key indices to fresh peaks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged impressively to a record 49,500 points. The S&P 500 index climbed 0.65 percent, settling at 6,966.28 points, while the Nasdaq Composite jumped 201.81 points—or 0.86 percent—to end at 23,681.83 points.

However, Dow Jones futures traded 204.71 points, or 0.41 percent, lower at 49,299.36 points on Monday, pressured by reports of a criminal probe into Powell.

European Bourses Extend Upward Trajectory

European markets mirrored American enthusiasm during Friday's trading. The FTSE index rose 0.79 percent to close at 10,124.60 points. France's CAC index advanced 118.62 points, equivalent to 1.42 percent, finishing at 8,362.09 points. Germany's DAX index gained 134.18 points, or 0.53 percent, to settle at 25,261.64 points.

Asia Predominantly Green Amid Selective Declines

Asian markets displayed broad-based gains on Monday, with seven of nine major indices trading higher. Singapore's Straits Times index ascended 0.60 percent to 4,772.96 points. South Korea's Kospi index surged 0.87 percent to 4,626.31 points. Japan's Nikkei index delivered a sharp rally, climbing 822.63 points—or 1.58 percent—to 51,939.89 points.

Taiwan Weighted index rose 312.73 points, or 1.03 percent, to 30,601.69 points; Hong Kong's Hang Seng advanced 247.21 points, or 0.94 percent, to 26,479 points; Shanghai Composite gained 0.75 percent to 4,151.14 points; and Jakarta Composite edged up 0.23 percent to 8,957.10 points.

Contrasting weakness emerged in Gift Nifty, down 161 points or 0.62 percent at 25,655 points, and Thailand's SET Composite index, which fell 0.83 percent to 1,243.63 points.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar