New Delhi, May 25 (H.S.): Global markets are witnessing positive sentiment today amid rising hopes of peace in West Asia and a decline in international crude oil prices. The US markets ended the previous session on a strong note, while Dow Jones Futures were also trading higher today. European markets maintained a firm upward trend during the last session, and Asian markets are likewise witnessing broad-based buying interest.

Investor sentiment remained upbeat in the US markets during the previous trading session, enabling major Wall Street indices to close in positive territory. The S&P 500 Index advanced 0.37 per cent to close at 7,473.47 points. Similarly, the Nasdaq gained 0.19 per cent to end the session at 26,343.97 points. Meanwhile, Dow Jones Futures were trading higher by 395.65 points, or 0.78 per cent, at 50,975.35 points.

European markets also witnessed sustained buying activity during the previous session. The FTSE Index climbed 0.22 per cent to settle at 10,466.26 points. Likewise, the CAC Index gained 0.37 per cent to close at 8,115.75 points. In addition, the DAX Index surged 281.79 points, or 1.13 per cent, to finish at 24,888.56 points.

Asian markets also opened on a strong footing today, with buying interest prevailing across the region. Out of the nine major Asian markets, seven indices were trading in positive territory, while one index remained in the red. South Korea’s stock market remained closed due to a holiday, resulting in no movement in the Kospi Index.

The Jakarta Composite Index was the only Asian index trading lower, slipping 0.19 per cent to 6,150.62 points.

On the other hand, Gift Nifty surged sharply by 268.50 points, or 1.13 per cent, to reach 23,959.50 points. Similarly, the Hang Seng Index rose 217.42 points, or 0.85 per cent, to 25,603.94 points. Taiwan Weighted Index recorded a strong rally and was trading higher by 1,260.29 points, or 2.98 per cent, at 43,528.26 points.

Likewise, the Nikkei Index jumped 1,880.93 points, or 2.97 per cent, to 65,220 points. Apart from this, the SET Composite Index was trading 1.01 per cent higher at 1,554.23 points, the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.57 per cent to 4,136.25 points, and the Straits Times Index advanced 0.42 per cent to 5,089.67 points.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar