New Delhi, 31 July (H.S.): Global markets are providing positive cues on Friday, with U.S. equities ending the previous session on a strong note and most Asian markets trading higher. Dow Jones Futures also remained in positive territory, while European markets closed on a mixed note after late-session selling erased part of the day's gains.

U.S. markets staged a robust recovery in the previous session, driven primarily by a sharp rally in semiconductor stocks. Chip stocks recorded their biggest intraday gain in more than a year, helping Wall Street's benchmark indices close significantly higher. The S&P 500 advanced 121.48 points, or 1.66 per cent, to settle at 7,437.63. The Nasdaq Composite surged 681.81 points, or 2.79 per cent, to close at 25,124.75. Meanwhile, Dow Jones Futures were trading 212.75 points, or 0.41 per cent, higher at 52,420.81.

European markets ended the previous session with mixed results. Although the major indices traded firmly for most of the day, late selling pressure weighed on overall performance. The FTSE Index slipped 0.10 per cent to close at 10,897.27. In contrast, France's CAC 40 gained 0.91 per cent to finish at 8,485.64, while Germany's DAX rose 151.55 points, or 0.59 per cent, to close at 25,612.03.

Asian markets were broadly positive during Friday's trading session. Of the nine major regional indices being tracked, seven were trading in the green, while two remained in negative territory. Singapore's Straits Times Index declined 0.83 per cent to 5,626.46, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index edged down 0.04 per cent to 25,848.

On the positive side, GIFT Nifty was trading 0.13 per cent higher at 24,395. Indonesia's Jakarta Composite Index gained 0.39 per cent to 6,210.79.

South Korea's KOSPI Index posted an exceptionally strong rally, climbing 790.45 points, or 14.13 per cent, to trade at 6,384.01.

Taiwan's Weighted Index also recorded impressive gains, rising 2,930.35 points, or 7.34 per cent, to 42,863.65. Japan's Nikkei Index advanced 2,307.57 points, or 3.73 per cent, to 64,175. Meanwhile, Thailand's SET Composite Index gained 1.43 per cent to 1,620.98, while China's Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.76 per cent to trade at 3,833.65.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar