New Delhi, 21 April (H.S.):
Global markets displayed divergent trends today, with American indices closing lower amid profit-taking, while Asian bourses embraced bullish momentum.
US markets ended yesterday's session in negative territory due to profit-booking pressure. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.01% to 49,442.56, S&P 500 fell 0.24% to 7,109.14, and Nasdaq declined 0.26% to 24,404.39. However, Dow futures rebounded +0.12% at 49,500.20, hinting at potential recovery.
European markets mirrored the caution: FTSE shed 0.55% to 10,609.08, CAC 40 dropped 1.13% (94.08 points) to 8,331.05, and DAX fell 1.16% (284.44 points) to 24,417.80.
Asian markets bucked the trend with widespread buying. Seven of nine regional indices traded green, led by Korea's Kospi soaring 2.31% (143.81 points) to 6,362.90 and Taiwan Weighted jumping 1.84% (680.27 points) to 37,639.07.
Japan's Nikkei advanced 1.28% (753.11 points) to 59,578, Hang Seng gained 0.36% (95.93 points) to 26,457, and SET Composite rose 0.31% to 1,486.37. Straits Times edged up 0.11% to 5,009.65, while GIFT Nifty climbed 0.45% (109 points) to 24,450.50—foreshadowing strength in Indian markets.
Jakarta Composite (-0.77% at 7,535.71) and Shanghai Composite (-0.24% at 4,072.39) remained the regional laggards.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
