World markets up despite Brexit chaos
singapore — World markets were mostly higher on Tuesday, trading in a narrow range, as positive economic data from Britain and beyond soothed jitters over the resignation of two of its top ministers over Brexit.
France’s CAC 40 rose 0.3 per cent to 5,412.82, while Germany’s DAX shed less than 0.1 per cent to 12,540.15 in early trading. Britain’s FTSE 100 edged 0.1 per cent higher to 7,695.04. Major U.S. indexes were set to open higher. Dow futures added 0.1 per cent to 24,804.00. S&P 500 futures gained 0.1 per cent to 2,789.20. The S&P 500 index has climbed at least 0.8 per cent for the third straight day.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 added 0.7 per cent to 22,196.89 and South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.4 per cent to 2,294.16. The Shanghai Composite index finished 0.4 per cent higher at 2,827.63. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dipped less than 0.1 per cent to 28,682.25. Austra- lia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.4 per cent to 6,258.10. Shares rose in Taiwan and were mostly higher in Southeast Asia. The resignation of two British government ministers over Brexit negotiations is threatening to topple Prime Minister Theresa May’s fragile minority government.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, one of the most prominent supporters of Brexit, quit with a letter accusing May of flying “white flags” of surrender in negotiations with the European Union. His exit followed the resignation Sunday of Brexit Secretary David Davis. Meanwhile at 3.30pm, the broader Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) provisionally closed at 10,947.25 points — higher by 94.35 points or 0.87 per cent — from its previous close of 10,852.90 points.
The barometer 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex), which had opened at 36,068.27 points, closed at 36,239.62 points (3.30 p.m.) — up by 304.90 points or 0.85 per cent — from its previous session’s close of 35,934.72 points.
The Sensex touched a high of 36,274.33 points and a low of 36,019.63 points during the intraday trade. The BSE market breadth was bullish with 1,677 advances and 957 declines.