Iran war highlights: Israel, Lebanon begin 10-day ceasefire; Trump signals possible Iran talks 'this weekend', Global equities traded with a mixed undertone on Friday, reflecting uneven risk appetite across regions despite resilience on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 115 points (0.24%) to 48,599.73, while S&P 500 edged up 0.08% to 7,095, extending the US rally, though gains remained measured. Futures indicate limited follow-through, with Dow Futures up 77 points (0.16%) at 48,656, suggesting a cautious continuation rather than a broad risk-on surge.
Asian markets, however, showed sharp divergence. Japan’s Nikkei tumbled 494 points (0.83%) to 59,023.58, emerging as the biggest regional laggard, likely reflecting profit booking after a strong prior rally and sensitivity to global yield and currency moves. In contrast, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng surged 446 points (1.72%) to 26,394.26, outperforming peers on renewed buying interest in Chinese equities and tech-heavy counters.
European markets remained modestly positive, indicating stable but cautious sentiment. Germany’s DAX gained 0.36% to 24,154.47, while France’s CAC 40 rose 0.12% to 8,284.20, reflecting selective buying amid lingering macro uncertainty and energy price risks tied to Middle East developments.
Back home, early signals point to consolidation after a sharp rally. Gift Nifty slipped 39 points (0.16%) to 24,175, indicating a mildly negative start for Indian equities, with the index hovering below the key 24,200 resistance zone. The global setup—firm US markets, mixed Asia, and stable Europe—suggests Indian markets may enter a pause phase, with directional cues now increasingly tied to earnings triggers and geopolitical developments rather than pure liquidity momentum.
