Global Markets
Asia mixed, Europe quiet as trade and geopolitics stay in focus
Global stocks mostly wobble, with gains in Japan and Korea offset by losses in Hong Kong, India, and Canada.
Across global equities, the moves are mixed. The Nikkei 225 rises 2.1% and the Kospi jumps 4.6%, but the Hang Seng falls 0.9%, Sensex drops 0.5%, and the TSX loses 1.1%. The ASX 200 barely edges higher, while the FTSE 100, DAX, CAC 40, and Stoxx 600 hover near flat to modestly lower.
The headlines help explain the uneven tone. CNBC flags Canada’s retaliatory tariffs worth CA$27.6 billion as they take effect, and Reuters reports a deepening trade rift. CNBC also highlights AI infrastructure stock strength on Qualcomm and Corning deal announcements, which fits the stronger session in chip-linked names and the big move in the Kospi.
In Europe, the broad market tone is subdued. The FTSE 100 slips 0.1%, the DAX falls 0.2%, the CAC 40 gains 0.3%, and the Stoxx 600 finishes flat. That leaves the region without a clear leader, even as some markets stay above their longer-term trend lines.
Japan stands out on the upside. The Nikkei 225 adds to its weekly and monthly gains, while Korea posts the strongest one-day move in the group. Elsewhere, China remains muted, with the Shanghai Comp. up just 0.1% and the Hang Seng under pressure.