New Delhi, 16 October (H.S.): Global markets are sending positive signals on Friday, with US stocks closing higher in the previous session and Dow Jones futures trading in positive territory. European markets also witnessed buying interest in the previous session, with major indices ending firmly in the green. Meanwhile, Asian markets are displaying a mixed trend, with some indices advancing while others remain under pressure.

US markets staged a strong recovery from their intraday lows during the previous session, enabling Wall Street’s major indices to close with gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 556.21 points, or 1.08 per cent, to settle at 52,177.69. The S&P 500 also advanced 0.33 per cent, ending the session at 7,744.06. Meanwhile, the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite recovered from its initial losses to close marginally higher by 20.16 points, or 0.08 per cent, at 26,713.03. Dow Jones futures were also trading higher on Friday, gaining 86.48 points, or 0.17 per cent, to reach 52,264.17.

European markets witnessed buying interest during the previous session, with major indices closing in positive territory. The UK’s FTSE 100 jumped 115.49 points, or 1.07 per cent, to settle at 10,840.35. France’s CAC 40 advanced 0.78 per cent to close at 7,934.70, while Germany’s DAX gained 84.01 points, or 0.33 per cent, to finish at 25,382.62.

Asian markets presented a mixed picture on Friday. Of the nine major indices covered in the report, six were trading in positive territory, while two were in the red. Thailand’s stock market remained closed for a holiday, leaving the SET Composite Index unchanged at 1,573.01.

In the Asian trading session, GIFT Nifty showed a subdued trend in early trade. The index was down 32.50 points, or 0.14 per cent, at 22,955.50. Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite Index, meanwhile, came under severe pressure, plunging 622.33 points, or 10.61 per cent, to 5,241.45.

In contrast, Japan’s Nikkei 225 witnessed a sharp rally, climbing 1,125.05 points, or 1.75 per cent, to reach 65,551. Singapore’s Straits Times Index edged up 3.13 points, or 0.06 per cent, to 5,443.40. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index also traded firmly higher, gaining 287.28 points, or 1.18 per cent, to reach 24,350.

Taiwan’s Weighted Index saw continued buying interest, rising 261.04 points, or 0.56 per cent, to 47,230.91. South Korea’s KOSPI also recorded a strong advance, climbing 197.68 points, or 3.56 per cent, to 5,751.90. Meanwhile, the Shanghai Composite Index gained 35.18 points, or 0.95 per cent, to trade at 3,742.66.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar