Global equity markets presented a mixed performance on Thursday, reflecting muted overnight sentiment following a Wall Street rally. The U.S. gains were boosted by a new trade deal framework between the U.S. and the UK. Investors are closely monitoring broader trade negotiations, including potential agreements with China.
U.S. stock futures showed minimal movement; Dow Futures decreased by 39 points (0.09%) to 41,329, while Nasdaq Futures increased by 4 points (0.02%) to 20,068. The U.S. Small Cap 2000 Futures fell by 6 points (0.28%) to 2,021. European futures showed cautious optimism, with Germany's DAX Futures rising 32 points (0.14%) to 23,501 and the UK's FTSE Futures gaining 19 points (0.22%) to 8,558.
Asian indices displayed mixed trends. Japan's Nikkei outperformed, gaining 427 points (1.16%) to 37,356, supported by tech and export stocks. Taiwan's Taiex Futures also increased by 60 points (0.29%) to 20,638. South Korea's KOSPI slipped marginally by 1.2 points (0.04%) to 2,578, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Futures were down 11 points (0.05%) at 22,738.
India's Gift Nifty indicated a weaker start for domestic equities, trading 290 points lower at 23,982, a drop of 1.20%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average previously climbed 255 points (0.62%) to 41,369, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 190 points (1.07%) to 17,928, boosted by technology stocks.