New Delhi, 24 August (H.S.):

Global markets are showing signs of weakness on Monday amid concerns that the United States could take tougher measures against Iran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to announce economic sanctions against Iran today, raising concerns among investors and triggering a cautious mood across global equity markets. However, US markets had closed higher in the previous session on Friday, while Dow Jones futures were trading marginally higher on Monday. European markets had also witnessed buying in the previous session, whereas most Asian markets are currently facing selling pressure.

US markets remained firm during the previous session. The S&P 500 index closed 0.43 per cent higher at 7,674.37 points. Similarly, the Nasdaq gained 113.29 points, or 0.43 per cent, to end the previous session at 26,180.45 points. Meanwhile, Dow Jones futures were trading with a marginal gain of 0.02 per cent at 53,287.51 points.

European markets also maintained a positive trend in the previous session. The CAC index rose 0.37 per cent to close at 8,484.43 points. The DAX index climbed 153.52 points, or 0.59 per cent, to end the session at 26,136.56 points. The FTSE index, however, remained unchanged as the London Stock Exchange was closed for a holiday.

Asian markets are broadly witnessing selling pressure on Monday. Of the nine major Asian markets, eight indices were trading in negative territory, while only one was in the green. Gift Nifty was the lone gainer, rising 0.26 per cent to trade at 24,348.50 points.

Meanwhile, the Nikkei index was down 391.36 points, or 0.60 per cent, at 65,625 points. The Straits Times Index declined 0.13 per cent to 5,681.55 points. South Korea’s KOSPI was witnessing a sharp fall, declining 215.25 points, or 3.21 per cent, to 6,697.70 points.

The Hang Seng Index was also under considerable pressure, falling 552.46 points, or 2.12 per cent, to 25,457 points. Similarly, the SET Composite Index declined 0.85 per cent to 1,600.14 points.

The Shanghai Composite Index was down 0.71 per cent at 3,877.30 points, while the Taiwan Weighted Index fell 217.76 points, or 0.48 per cent, to 45,006.53 points. The Jakarta Composite Index was trading 0.46 per cent lower at 6,495.85 points.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar