New Delhi, August 28 (HS): Global equity markets are sending mixed signals on Thursday as Wall Street closed higher in the previous session while European indices ended on a mixed note. Asian markets too witnessed a divergent trend, with some benchmarks firm while others slipped into the red.

On Wall Street, steady buying lifted indices to a positive close. The S&P 500 gained 0.24% to finish at 6,481.40, while the Nasdaq added 0.21% to end at 21,590.14. Dow Jones Futures were also trading higher in early Thursday deals, up 109.30 points, or 0.24%, at 45,674.53.

In Europe, market sentiment remained choppy in the last session. The FTSE index slipped 0.11% to close at 9,255.50, while Germany’s DAX shed 106.66 points, or 0.44%, to end at 24,046.21. In contrast, France’s CAC 40 advanced 0.44% to settle at 7,743.93.

The Asian trading pattern was equally uneven. Of the nine major indices, six moved higher while three slipped lower. Gift Nifty was under pressure, down 153.50 points or 0.62% at 24,544. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 171.76 points or 0.68% to 25,030, while Taiwan Weighted fell 123.48 points, or 0.50%, to 24,396.42.

On the brighter side, Japan’s Nikkei surged 223.73 points, or 0.53%, to 42,744. South Korea’s Kospi added 0.53% to 3,204.04, while Jakarta Composite jumped 0.73% to 7,993.78. Thailand’s SET Composite gained 0.19% to 1,250.39, Singapore’s Straits Times advanced 0.11% to 4,250.34, and Shanghai Composite ticked up 0.07% to 3,803.08.

With Wall Street holding firm and Asian trades split, global investors remain cautious amid persistent volatility and shifting macroeconomic signals.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar