Retail sector up in New York

Asia-Pacific equities markets were mixed to close out the week. In China, the Shanghai Composite was back after recent declines, adding 4.6 percent on the session to close at 3.781.17. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong added 1.25 percent to 22,531.74. The Sensex was 0.69 percent higher to 14,964.12 in India, while the Straits Times index in Singapore gained a bare 0.01 percent to 3,561.96.

The Sydney Ordinaries, on the other hand, dropped 0.14 percent to 6,383. The S&P/ASX200 was also lower, closing at 6,351.1.

The Tokyo markets were lower as well, with the Nikkei 225 down 0.4 percent to 18,140.94 and the Topix index 0.5 percent lower to 1,779.67. Real estate, retail, and media were all lower on the session.

Elsewhere, most markets were higher. In New York in early afternoon trade the Dow Jones Industrial Average was 0.18 percent higher to 13,590.44. The Nasdaq Composite had gained 0.09 percent to 2,659.17, while the S&P 500 was up 0.07 percent to 1,526.53. Eye-care products makers were lower on bids news. The pharmaceuticals sector also declined, but retailers saw gains.

In Europe, equities markets saw gains. The FTSE Eurofirst 300 gained 0.57 percent to 1,618.9. In Paris, the CAC-40 was 0.71 percent higher to 6,102.69, while the Dax added 0.77 percent to 8,048.32 in Frankfurt. In Madrid, the IBEX was up 1.01 percent to 15,058.3. Carmakers and steel manufacturers saw gains, while utilities, airlines, insurers, and engineering groups saw losses in their sectors.

The London markets were higher as well, with the FTSE 100 0.83 percent higher to 6,690.1. The FTSE 250 added 0.55 percent to 11,867.3. Oil producers and miners saw gains on the session, as did a kitchen equipment manufacturer. Hotels and the business services sectors declined on the session.

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