Global Stock Markets See Mixed Trends as Earnings Season Begins

The global stock market is experiencing mixed trends as the first full week of the third-quarter earnings season kicks off. In the United States, the stock market edged higher on Friday, driven by subdued inflation indicators. The S&P 500 Index closed 0.61% higher at 5,815.03, marking its 45th record high, while the Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.33% and 0.97%, respectively.

In Asia, markets were generally positive on Monday. Stocks in China surged more than 2% after the finance minister indicated that more economic stimulus is needed. The Kospi in South Korea and the S&P ASX 200 in Australia were trading 0.75% and 0.37% higher, respectively, as of early Monday morning.

In India, however, the market trend was different. India’s benchmark equity indices, the Nifty and Sensex, closed lower for the second consecutive week on Friday. The Nifty ended 0.10% down at 24,974.3, and the Sensex closed 0.22% lower at 81,435.40. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) continued to be net sellers of Indian equities for the tenth consecutive session.

Commodity prices also saw some movement. Brent crude was trading lower, down 1.46% at $77.89 a barrel, while gold prices were slightly lower as well, trading at $2,647.01 an ounce.

The earnings season has begun, with JP Morgan kicking off on Friday. Other notable companies set to report their earnings include Reliance Industries Ltd., HCL Technologies Ltd., and Angel One Ltd..