European markets close higher, Asia mixed, Nasdaq turns negative

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) – European stock markets closed higher on Monday, while Asia ended the day mixed, and the Nasdaq in US turned negative despite a strong opening.

The STOXX Europe 600, which includes around 90% of the market capitalization of the European market in 17 countries, rose 1.35 points, or 0.29%, to close at 467.69.

London's FTSE 100 rose 39 points, or 0.56%, to 7,068, while Germany's DAX 30 gained 91 points, or 0.59%, to 15,701.

France's CAC 40 was up 13 points, or 0.2%, to end the day at 6,676 points. Italy's Borsa Italiana FTSE MIB 30 added 239 points, or 0.93%, to 25,925.

Spain's IBEX 35 was the best performer of the day by increasing 120 points, or 1.39%, to close at 8,816.

The gain in indices was a sign of optimism for investors after markets in Europe shed between 0.39% and 1.9% last week.

- Asian stock markets

Despite posting increases last week, Asian indices closed mixed on Monday.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, fell 26 points, or 0.65%, to close at 4,017 points.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock exchange rose 65 points, or 0.22%, to 30,447.

The Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange, fell the most by plummeting 392 points, or 1.5%, to 25,813.

China's Shanghai stock exchange was marginally up by 12 points, or 0.33%, to 3,715.

Asian indices had a strong week by adding between 1.17% and 4.3% last week.

- Major indices in US

Major markets in the US opened strong on Monday, as the Dow and the S&P were trying to end their five-day losing streak, but the Nasdaq later turned to negative territory.

The Dow Jones soared 217 points, or 0.63%, to 34,824 at 12.49 p.m. EDT (1649GMT), while the S&P 500 was up 2 points to 4,461.

The Nasdaq, on the other hand, declined 12 points, or 0.08%, to 15,102.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, was at 18.19 with a 3.2% decline.

While the dollar index was up 0.07% to 92.64, while the yield on 10-year US Treasury notes fell 1.4% to 1.322%.

Precious metals were on the rise with gold adding 0.3% to $1,793 per ounce, and silver recovering 0.1% to $23.76.

Oil prices increased as Brent crude was trading at $73.40 per barrel with a 0.66% gain, and West Texas Intermediate was at $70.31 with a 0.85% increase.