New Delhi, 10 June (H.S.): Fresh concerns over escalating geopolitical tensions following reports of Iranian attacks on U.S. military installations have dampened sentiment across global financial markets. U.S. equities ended the previous session lower, Dow Jones futures remained under pressure on Wednesday, and most Asian markets traded in negative territory amid widespread risk aversion.

Reports regarding Iran's alleged downing of a U.S. Apache helicopter and attacks on American military facilities in the Gulf region weighed heavily on investor confidence during the previous trading session on Wall Street.

The S&P 500 Index closed down 0.26 percent at 7,386.65 points. The Nasdaq Composite fell 250.84 points, or 0.97 percent, to finish at 25,678.82 points. Dow Jones futures were also trading lower on Wednesday, slipping 106.44 points, or 0.21 percent, to 50,765.67 points.

European markets also remained under pressure during the previous session and ended with mixed results. The FTSE Index declined sharply by 145.87 points, or 1.43 percent, to close at 10,227.33 points. Germany's DAX Index fell 183.16 points, or 0.75 percent, to settle at 24,433.06 points. In contrast, France's CAC 40 Index managed a marginal gain of 0.05 percent, ending the session at 8,203.43 points.

Asian markets witnessed broad-based selling on Wednesday. Of the nine major Asian indices being tracked, seven were trading in negative territory, while only two posted gains.

Among the gainers, Gift Nifty advanced 145.50 points, or 0.63 percent, to 23,330 points. Indonesia's Jakarta Composite Index also moved higher, rising 86.12 points, or 1.50 percent, to 5,832.77 points.

On the downside, Japan's Nikkei Index dropped 886.63 points, or 1.36 percent, to 64,530 points. Singapore's Straits Times Index fell 1.04 percent to 4,970.90 points.

South Korea's KOSPI witnessed one of the sharpest declines in the region, plunging 348.01 points, or 4.30 percent, to 7,748.92 points.

Taiwan's Weighted Index also remained under pressure, falling 614.16 points, or 1.37 percent, to 44,090.28 points.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 303.90 points, or 1.24 percent, to 24,262 points. Thailand's SET Composite Index slipped 0.64 percent to 1,574.01 points, while China's Shanghai Composite Index traded 0.58 percent lower at 3,986.66 points.

Market participants are closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, as escalating geopolitical tensions continue to fuel uncertainty and drive cautious sentiment across global financial markets.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar