New Delhi, 26 October (H.S.): Global markets are sending mixed but broadly cautious signals on Monday, following sharp losses on Wall Street and a weak performance across major European indices in the previous session. While Dow Jones futures are currently trading higher, Asian markets are witnessing a mixed trend, with some indices recovering and trading in positive territory while others remain under pressure.
The US stock market recorded substantial losses in the previous session, with Wall Street's major indices closing lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average remained under pressure throughout the session and ended 652.82 points, or 1.23 per cent, lower at 52,215.16. The S&P 500 declined 39.75 points, or 0.52 per cent, to close at 7,623.68. The Nasdaq Composite also remained under pressure, shedding 53.52 points, or 0.21 per cent, to settle at 25,955.34.
In contrast, Dow Jones futures were trading higher in early deals on Monday, gaining 123.54 points, or 0.24 per cent, to 52,338.70.
European markets also witnessed selling pressure in the previous session, with major indices ending predominantly lower. Germany's DAX fell 190.10 points, or 0.75 per cent, to close at 25,181.65. France's CAC 40 declined 28.44 points, or 0.37 per cent, to finish at 7,782.82. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 remained unchanged at 10,690.36.
Asian markets were trading on a mixed note on Monday. Of the nine major regional markets covered in the report, two indices were trading in positive territory, while six were recording losses. Taiwan's weighted index remained unchanged at 46,041.43 as the local stock exchange was closed for a holiday.
GIFT Nifty, which provides an early indication of the likely direction of the Indian equity market, was reflecting the weak cues from US markets. The index was trading 99 points, or 0.44 per cent, lower at 22,509 in early trade.
Japanese equities were facing selling pressure amid the subdued global cues. The Nikkei 225 was down 243.16 points, or 0.39 per cent, at 62,450. Singapore's Straits Times Index was also trading lower, shedding 23.78 points, or 0.44 per cent, to 5,398.38.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index, however, was showing resilience despite the weakness on Wall Street. It was trading 98.63 points, or 0.43 per cent, higher at 23,192. In South Korea, the KOSPI was facing profit-booking pressure and had declined 38.62 points, or 0.70 per cent, to 5,511.68.
Thailand's SET Composite Index was showing signs of recovery, rising 6.42 points, or 0.41 per cent, to 1,569.09. In contrast, Indonesia's Jakarta Composite Index was under significant selling pressure, falling 57.01 points, or 1.06 per cent, to 5,382.25.
China's Shanghai Composite Index was also trading marginally lower, slipping 6.56 points, or 0.18 per cent, to 3,683.92.
Overall, the regional picture remained uneven, with gains in select Asian markets offering some support while weakness in US equities and continued pressure on several regional indices kept sentiment cautious.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
