New Delhi, 24 April (H.S.): Weak signals are emerging from global markets today. The US markets exhibited persistent declines throughout the previous session, with Dow Jones futures also trading lower. European markets closed with mixed results yesterday, while Asian markets are generally under selling pressure today.

Fears of renewed tensions in West Asia created a jittery atmosphere in US markets during the last session, causing Wall Street indices to end in the red. The S&P 500 index slipped 0.41 percent to close at 7,108.39 points. Similarly, the Nasdaq shed 219.06 points, or 0.89 percent, to finish at 24,438.50 points. Dow Jones futures are currently down 139.03 points, or 0.28 percent, trading at 49,171.29 points.

European markets saw mixed trading in the prior session. The FTSE index closed weaker by 0.19 percent at 10,457.01 points. The DAX index fell 0.16 percent to end at 24,155.45 points. On a positive note, the CAC index surged 0.86 percent to 8,227.32 points.

Asian markets are predominantly lower today, with seven out of nine indices in the red while two remain in green. Taiwan Weighted Index has posted a strong gain, up 904.45 points or 2.40 percent at 38,618.60 points. Nikkei index has risen 312.77 points, or 0.53 percent, to 59,453 points.

GIFT Nifty is down 122.50 points, or 0.51 percent, at 24,035 points. Straits Times index has slipped 0.68 percent to 4,910.64 points. Jakarta Composite shows sharp weakness, down 182.96 points or 2.48 percent at 7,195.65 points.

SET Composite has declined 1.38 percent to 1,441.12 points. Kospi index is off 0.93 percent at 6,415.51 points, Shanghai Composite down 0.58 percent at 4,069.37 points, and Hang Seng marginally lower by 0.05 percent at 25,902 points.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar