European stock markets advanced on Friday after a mixed trading session across Asia, with limited fresh developments guiding investor sentiment. The easing of recent market volatility comes in the wake of ongoing trade policy uncertainty linked to former US President Donald Trump’s shifting stance on tariffs.
Germany’s DAX rose 0.6 per cent to 23,828.54, while France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.4 per cent to 7,882.21. The UK’s FTSE 100 gained 0.5%, reaching 8,672.82. US stock futures remained mostly flat in early trading, according to news agency AP.
In Asia, markets were mixed. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 closed nearly unchanged at 37,753.72 after data showed Japan’s economy contracted more sharply than expected in the first quarter. GDP shrank by 0.7 per cent year-on-year, driven by declining exports and stagnant consumer spending.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slipped 0.4 per cent to 23,352.91, and the Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.5 per cent to 3,364.92. Alibaba shares dropped 3.8 per cent after the tech giant reported weaker-than-expected financial results.
Elsewhere in the region, South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.2 per cent to 2,626.87, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.6 per cent to 8,343.70, and Taiwan’s Taiex advanced 0.5%.
On Wall Street Thursday, stocks posted modest gains amid conflicting economic signals. The S&P 500 edged up 0.4%, marking its fourth consecutive daily gain and drawing within 3.7 per cent of its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.6%, while the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.2%.
Investors weighed mixed reports on US economic conditions, with weaker-than-expected retail sales and continued signs of manufacturing contraction contrasting with lower-than-forecast wholesale inflation and a decline in jobless claims.
The uncertain outlook was underscored by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell , who warned Thursday that the global economy “may be entering a period of more frequent, and potentially more persistent, supply shocks,” which could stoke inflation and pose challenges for cent ral banks.
Corporate earnings also reflected the uncertain environment. Walmart shares fell 0.5 per cent despite reporting better-than-expected profits, as the company warned of price hikes due to increased costs from tariffs and withheld profit guidance for the current quarter. Cisco Systems surged 4.8 per cent after beating earnings expectations, boosted by optimism over its AI prospects. In contrast, Dick’s Sporting Goods plunged 14.6 per cent after announcing a $2.4 billion acquisition of struggling rival Foot Locker, which soared 85.7 per cent in response.
Crude oil prices fell around 2 per cent amid speculation of increased supply following reports of a potential US-Iran nuclear agreement that could ease sanctions and boost Iranian exports. US benchmark crude dropped 36 cent s to $61.26 per barrel, while Brent crude fell 33 cent s to $64.20.
Currency markets saw the US dollar decline to 145.11 Japanese yen from 145.69 yen. The euro strengthened, trading at $1.1215 compared to $1.1185 on Thursday.
Germany’s DAX rose 0.6 per cent to 23,828.54, while France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.4 per cent to 7,882.21. The UK’s FTSE 100 gained 0.5%, reaching 8,672.82. US stock futures remained mostly flat in early trading, according to news agency AP.
In Asia, markets were mixed. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 closed nearly unchanged at 37,753.72 after data showed Japan’s economy contracted more sharply than expected in the first quarter. GDP shrank by 0.7 per cent year-on-year, driven by declining exports and stagnant consumer spending.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slipped 0.4 per cent to 23,352.91, and the Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.5 per cent to 3,364.92. Alibaba shares dropped 3.8 per cent after the tech giant reported weaker-than-expected financial results.
Elsewhere in the region, South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.2 per cent to 2,626.87, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.6 per cent to 8,343.70, and Taiwan’s Taiex advanced 0.5%.
On Wall Street Thursday, stocks posted modest gains amid conflicting economic signals. The S&P 500 edged up 0.4%, marking its fourth consecutive daily gain and drawing within 3.7 per cent of its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.6%, while the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.2%.
Investors weighed mixed reports on US economic conditions, with weaker-than-expected retail sales and continued signs of manufacturing contraction contrasting with lower-than-forecast wholesale inflation and a decline in jobless claims.
The uncertain outlook was underscored by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell , who warned Thursday that the global economy “may be entering a period of more frequent, and potentially more persistent, supply shocks,” which could stoke inflation and pose challenges for cent ral banks.
Corporate earnings also reflected the uncertain environment. Walmart shares fell 0.5 per cent despite reporting better-than-expected profits, as the company warned of price hikes due to increased costs from tariffs and withheld profit guidance for the current quarter. Cisco Systems surged 4.8 per cent after beating earnings expectations, boosted by optimism over its AI prospects. In contrast, Dick’s Sporting Goods plunged 14.6 per cent after announcing a $2.4 billion acquisition of struggling rival Foot Locker, which soared 85.7 per cent in response.
Crude oil prices fell around 2 per cent amid speculation of increased supply following reports of a potential US-Iran nuclear agreement that could ease sanctions and boost Iranian exports. US benchmark crude dropped 36 cent s to $61.26 per barrel, while Brent crude fell 33 cent s to $64.20.
Currency markets saw the US dollar decline to 145.11 Japanese yen from 145.69 yen. The euro strengthened, trading at $1.1215 compared to $1.1185 on Thursday.
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