New Delhi, 13 November (H.S.): Global markets presented a mixed picture on Friday, with US equities ending the previous session lower, while Dow Jones futures traded in positive territory during morning trade. European markets closed broadly higher on Thursday, supported by widespread buying, while Asian equities were witnessing a mixed trend, with most major indices trading in the green. However, GIFT Nifty, an early indicator of the Indian equity market's opening, remained under pressure, signalling a potentially weak start for domestic benchmarks.

On Wall Street, selling pressure dominated the previous trading session. A decline in Nvidia shares following reports of Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang stepping down outweighed gains in energy stocks. Although Nvidia shares recovered somewhat from their intraday lows, they still ended the session 4.3 per cent lower.

Reflecting the overall weakness, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed Thursday's session down 189.40 points, or 0.36 per cent, at 52,297.09. The S&P 500 also declined 26.98 points, or 0.35 per cent, to settle at 7,592.40. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite shed 100.10 points, or 0.39 per cent, to close at 25,366.09.

However, Dow Jones futures were trading higher on Friday morning, gaining 153.12 points, or 0.29 per cent, to reach 52,450.21.

European markets, in contrast, witnessed broad-based buying during the previous session, with all major indices ending in positive territory. Germany's DAX advanced 109.11 points, or 0.41 per cent, to close at 26,771.88. France's CAC 40 gained 28.49 points, or 0.34 per cent, to settle at 8,361.36. Britain's FTSE 100 also strengthened by 27.62 points, or 0.25 per cent, to finish at 10,863.09.

Against this backdrop of mixed global signals, Asian markets were also trading on a mixed note on Friday. Of the nine major regional indices tracked, seven were trading in positive territory, while two were under pressure.

GIFT Nifty was trading 96 points, or 0.38 per cent, lower at 25,205 in morning trade, indicating a weak opening for the Indian stock market. Hong Kong's equity market was also facing selling pressure, with the Hang Seng Index declining 230.55 points, or 0.96 per cent, from its previous close to 23,778.

In contrast, Taiwan's stock market registered a sharp rally. The Taiwan Weighted Index surged 945.35 points, or 2.19 per cent, to reach 44,037.22. Japan's Nikkei 225 was also trading firmly higher, advancing 767.64 points, or 1.26 per cent, to 61,587.

Indonesia's market maintained its upward momentum, with the Jakarta Composite Index rising 49.30 points, or 0.94 per cent, to 5,300.20.

South Korea's KOSPI also showed signs of recovery, gaining 13.50 points, or 0.25 per cent, to reach 5,356.23. Singapore's Straits Times Index advanced 10.47 points, or 0.20 per cent, to trade at 5,246.33.

China's Shanghai Composite Index was also in positive territory, rising 7.36 points, or 0.20 per cent, to 3,663.19. Thailand's SET Composite Index registered a modest gain of 2.82 points, or 0.19 per cent, to trade at 1,501.88.

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

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar