New Delhi, 22 October (H.S.): Global markets presented a mixed picture on Thursday, with US stocks closing higher in the previous session, while Dow Jones futures were trading lower in early morning deals. European markets also ended the previous session on a positive note, with major indices registering gains. In contrast, most Asian markets were trading in negative territory amid widespread selling pressure.

US markets recorded broad-based gains in the previous session, allowing Wall Street’s major indices to close firmly in the green. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 360.21 points, or 0.69 per cent, to settle at 52,856.09. The S&P 500 gained 44.60 points, or 0.58 per cent, to close at 7,757.17. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite also witnessed strong buying interest, rising 278.04 points, or 1.05 per cent, to end the session at 26,702.86.

However, Dow Jones futures were trading lower on Thursday morning, declining 155.92 points, or 0.29 per cent, to 52,700.17 at the time of reporting.

European markets also witnessed sustained buying during the previous session, with their major indices ending higher. Germany’s DAX surged 340.62 points, or 1.33 per cent, to close at 25,645.04. France’s CAC 40 advanced 83.19 points, or 1.05 per cent, to settle at 7,921.68. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom’s FTSE 100 edged up 19.88 points, or 0.18 per cent, to finish at 10,752.88.

In contrast, most Asian markets were trading with losses on Thursday. Of the nine major Asian markets covered in the report, only two indices were trading in positive territory, while seven were registering declines.

GIFT Nifty, which provides an early indication of the likely direction of the Indian equity market, was also trading lower in morning deals. The index had declined 107.50 points, or 0.47 per cent, to 22,621.00.

Despite the positive performance of US equities in the previous session, Japanese markets witnessed substantial selling pressure. The Nikkei 225 was trading sharply lower, falling 1,334.24 points, or 2.06 per cent, to 63,287. Singapore’s Straits Times Index also slipped marginally, losing 8.98 points, or 0.17 per cent, to trade at 5,422.25.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index came under considerable pressure, plunging 671.87 points, or 2.92 per cent, to 22,980. Taiwan’s Weighted Index also faced profit-booking, declining 475.88 points, or 1.01 per cent, to 46,411.89.

South Korea’s KOSPI recorded one of the steepest declines among the major Asian indices, dropping 175.78 points, or 3.06 per cent, to 5,559.88.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s SET Composite Index bucked the broader regional trend, gaining 4.97 points, or 0.32 per cent, to trade at 1,561.06. Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite Index also moved higher on the back of buying interest, rising 50.29 points, or 0.94 per cent, to 5,378.65.

In contrast, China’s Shanghai Composite Index was trading in negative territory, declining 33.17 points, or 0.89 per cent, to 3,679.86.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar