New Delhi, 21 October (H.S.): Global markets presented a mixed picture on Wednesday, with US equities closing on a mixed note in the previous session, while Dow Jones futures edged higher in early trade. European markets ended lower amid selling pressure, whereas Asian markets were trading in mixed territory, with some major indices registering strong gains and others attempting to recover from modest declines.

In the United States, Wall Street indices delivered mixed performances in the previous session. The S&P 500 advanced 21.84 points, or 0.28 per cent, to close at 7,712.57. In contrast, the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite edged down 6.07 points, or 0.02 per cent, to settle at 26,424.82. Meanwhile, Dow Jones futures were trading 39.07 points, or 0.07 per cent, higher at 52,534.95 in early trade on Wednesday.

European markets came under selling pressure in the previous session, with major indices closing in negative territory. Germany’s DAX declined 15.35 points, or 0.06 per cent, to finish at 25,304.42. France’s CAC 40 fell 29.56 points, or 0.38 per cent, to close at 7,838.49. The UK’s FTSE 100 also shed 31.69 points, or 0.30 per cent, to end the session at 10,733.

Asian markets were trading on a mixed note on Wednesday. Of the nine major regional indices tracked, five were in positive territory, while four were registering losses.

GIFT Nifty, which provides an early indication of sentiment in the Indian equity market, was showing strong gains in morning trade. The index had risen 109.50 points, or 0.48 per cent, to trade at 23,044.

Despite the mixed performance on Wall Street, Japanese equities recorded notable gains. The Nikkei 225 climbed 504.58 points, or 0.79 per cent, to reach 64,580. Singapore’s Straits Times Index also advanced 21.43 points, or 0.39 per cent, to trade at 5,456.74.

In contrast, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index remained under pressure, declining 84.74 points, or 0.36 per cent, to trade at 23,783.

Taiwan’s Weighted Index witnessed strong buying interest, gaining 494.42 points, or 1.07 per cent, to reach 46,787.35. South Korea’s KOSPI also registered a sharp rally, surging 151.31 points, or 2.72 per cent, to 5,704.05.

Elsewhere in the region, Thailand’s SET Composite Index was trading lower by 9.90 points, or 0.64 per cent, at 1,545.04. Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite Index also declined amid selling pressure, falling 44.19 points, or 0.84 per cent, to 5,234.70.

China’s Shanghai Composite Index was marginally lower, shedding 11.42 points, or 0.31 per cent, to trade at 3,723.95.

The divergent performances across regional markets reflected a mixed trading environment, with strong gains in Japan, Taiwan and South Korea contrasting with losses in Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia and China.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar