Mixed Trade For World Stock Markets

World stock markets faced a day of largely downward trading, after negative signals from within the US economy prompted analysts to sell off in European markets.

The news of a fall in US investor confidence was sufficient to revive some of the market jitters of European markets over the last few weeks, for fear that the stock markets may continue to feel the brunt of the US sub-prime fallout.

Despite more positive signs from within Europe, markets throughout the Eurozone were down on the day, largely maintaining the downward momentum of close yesterday and compounding the impact of the bleak outlook from US investors.

At the close of play today, the German DAX exchange was down by 18.48 points to close at 7769.4 in reflection of the bleaker US outlook, with the announcements of later on in the day yesterday in US markets making their way across Europe.

Despite news from France that consumer spending was on the increase, the French CAC 40 exchange in Paris was heavily down on the day, losing a proportionately significant 50.90 points, closing down at 5641.6.

The FTSE was among the day’s biggest losers through the course of trade, losing 69.00 points after the backlash of the US announcements over the last few days. At the closing bell, the FTSE rounded off at 6396.9.

Meanwhile, the US markets had enough time to turn full circle on the day and make some small gains towards the end of trade. The leading Dow Jones exchange was actually up on the day by 19.59 points, coming to close at 13778.7.

The smaller NASDAQ exchange enjoyed significant growth on a proportionate level, up 15.50 points on an indexation figure of 2683.5. The S&P exchange almost broke even on the day, seeing a slight loss of around half a point.

Analysts are predicting that markets should open tomorrow cautiously, with the possibility of some positive trade towards the end of the day.

Story link: Mixed Trade For World Stock Markets