New Delhi, 31 August (H.S.):
Global markets are showing signs of weakness on Monday, with US equities closing lower in the previous session and Dow Jones futures also trading in negative territory. European markets, meanwhile, ended the previous session on a positive note, while most Asian markets are witnessing selling pressure today.
US stock indices came under pressure amid concerns that the Federal Reserve could once again raise interest rates. The S&P 500 declined 0.25 per cent to close at 7,711.76 points in the previous session. The Nasdaq Composite fell 138.93 points, or 0.52 per cent, to end at 26,402.42 points.
Dow Jones futures were also trading lower on Monday, falling 150.22 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 53,409.77 points at the time of reporting.
In contrast to the US market, European equities maintained a positive trend during the previous session. The FTSE index remained largely unchanged, while France's CAC index gained 0.97 per cent to close at 8,401.18 points. Germany's DAX index advanced 202.75 points, or 0.76 per cent, to finish at 26,569.99 points.
Asian markets are largely under selling pressure on Monday. Of the nine major Asian indices, seven were trading in the red, while two were holding gains.
Singapore's Straits Times Index was up 0.44 per cent at 5,724.79 points, while Thailand's SET Composite Index gained 0.21 per cent to reach 1,591.55 points.
On the other hand, India's GIFT Nifty was down 103 points, or 0.42 per cent, at 24,209 points. Indonesia's Jakarta Composite Index declined 0.40 per cent to 6,492.16 points.
South Korea's KOSPI recorded a significant decline, falling 90.74 points, or 1.34 per cent, to 6,698.14 points.
Taiwan's TAIEX also witnessed sharp weakness, dropping 612.63 points, or 1.32 per cent, to 45,718.82 points.
Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 730.56 points, or 1.10 per cent, to 65,675 points. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 170.79 points, or 0.67 per cent, to 25,414 points.
The Shanghai Composite Index was also trading lower, down 0.20 per cent at 3,944.46 points.
The mixed global cues, concerns over the future trajectory of US interest rates and widespread weakness across several Asian markets are likely to keep investors cautious during Monday's trading session.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
