Global stock markets, on Monday, July 17, were mixed after major Wall Street indexes hit new highs and China reported unexpectedly strong economic growth.
In early trading, London’s FTSE 100 index rose 0.4 percent to 7,410.96 and France’s CAC 40 was little changed at 5,235.90. Germany’s DAX shed 0.2 percent to 12,600.48.
On Friday, the FTSE 100 slid 0.5 percent, the DAX lost 0.1 percent and the CAC 40 was flat. Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average and the Standard & Poor’s 500 index were unchanged.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.3 percent to 26,470.58 and Seoul’s Kospi added 0.4 percent to 2,425.10. The Shanghai Composite Index was off 1.4 percent at 3,176.46, while Japanese markets were closed for a holiday.
India’s Sensex advanced 0.3 percent to 32,104.77 and Australia’s S&P ASX 200 shed 0.2 percent to 5,755.50. Benchmarks in Singapore and Manila rose while Bangkok and Jakarta declined.
Gains by big technology and health care companies pushed U.S. stocks higher for a third straight day on Friday, lifting the S&P 500, Dow and Russell 2000 index of smaller-company stocks to record highs.
Energy companies advanced on higher oil prices. High-dividend stocks such as real estate companies and utilities posted big gains following a drop in bond yields.
Investors brushed off a report showing U.S. retail sales declined in June and drew encouragement from data indicating industrial production rebounded. The S&P 500 gained 0.5 percent, the Dow rose 0.4 percent and the Nasdaq composite added 0.6 percent.
China’s economic growth held steady at 6.9 percent in the quarter ending in June, exceeding most forecasts. Growth was boosted by unexpectedly strong retail sales and trade, which offset softer investment.
Forecasters warned that strength was unlikely to last because tighter controls on bank lending aimed at cooling a surge in debt will weigh on investment, a major component in growth.
