Europe, Asia markets mixed but mostly lower

Most European equities markets saw declines on Monday. The FTSE Eurofirst 300 dropped 0.24 percent to 1,601.5. In Paris the CAC-40 fell 0.46 percent to 6,026.95, while the IBEX was 0.59 percent lower to 14,804.7 in Madrid and the Dax was down 0.61 percent to 7,958.24 in Frankfurt. The steel sector saw advances, as did the food and beverage sector. Utilities and builders were mixed, while their were declines within the insurance sector.

In London, the FTSE 100 dropped 0.26 percent to 6,590.6, but the FTSE 250 managed to add 0.06 percent to 11,534.3. Miners were the big gainers on the day after bids rumors circulated. Online gamers were also higher, while the tobacco and airlines sectors saw declines.

Asia-Pacific markets were also mixed on the session. The declines came in Australia, where the Sydney Ordinaries dropped 0.19 percent to 6,298.6, while the S&P/ASX200 closed lower at 6,263.3. Elsewhere in the region, the Straits Times index added 0.01 percent to 3,550.34 in Singapore, while in India the Sensex gained 0.09 percent to 14,644.26. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 closed virtually unchanged at 18,146.30, while the Topix index was up 0.3 percent to 1,780.36. Companies with interests in resources saw gains, as did some consumer goods shares. Department stores were lower on the session.

Wall Street saw gains by midday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was 0.56 percent higher to 13,495.11, while the Nasdaq Composite had gained 0.79 percent to 2,623.9 and the S&P 500 added 0.67 percent to 1,513.37. Bids news sent the telecommunications sector higher. Semiconductors makers were also higher, but the pharmaceuticals sector saw declines.

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