Global shares mostly fell in thin trading Thursday, taking their cues from a slide on Wall Street.
France's CAC 40 lost 0.5 percent to 4,822.78 in early trading, while Germany's DAX fell 0.5 percent to 11,416.75. Britain's FTSE 100 sank 0.3 percent to 7,086.44. U.S. shares were set to drift lower with Dow futures down nearly 0.1 percent at 19,763. S&P 500 futures were down 0.05 percent at 2,244.10.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 slipped 1.3 percent to finish at 19,145.14, as the strengthening yen, which reduces export earnings, weighed on market sentiments. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 recouped earlier losses and rose 0.3 percent to 5,699.10. South Korea's Kospi inched up 0.1 percent to 2,026.46. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.2 percent to 21,795.02, while the Shanghai Composite lost 0.2 percent at 3,096.10. Shares were also lower in Taiwan.
Benchmark U.S. crude fell 30 cents to $53.76 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, was down 1cent to $56.95 a barrel in London.
France's CAC 40 lost 0.5 percent to 4,822.78 in early trading, while Germany's DAX fell 0.5 percent to 11,416.75. Britain's FTSE 100 sank 0.3 percent to 7,086.44. U.S. shares were set to drift lower with Dow futures down nearly 0.1 percent at 19,763. S&P 500 futures were down 0.05 percent at 2,244.10.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 slipped 1.3 percent to finish at 19,145.14, as the strengthening yen, which reduces export earnings, weighed on market sentiments. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 recouped earlier losses and rose 0.3 percent to 5,699.10. South Korea's Kospi inched up 0.1 percent to 2,026.46. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.2 percent to 21,795.02, while the Shanghai Composite lost 0.2 percent at 3,096.10. Shares were also lower in Taiwan.
Benchmark U.S. crude fell 30 cents to $53.76 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, was down 1cent to $56.95 a barrel in London.
