World markets today: US stocks gain led by megacap, chip shares
US stocks opened higher on Wednesday, led by megacap and chip stocks.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 92.53 points, or 0.24 per cent, at the open to 38,613.89.
The S&P 500 hit a fresh record high at the open. It was higher by 18.82 points, or 0.38 per cent, at 4,973.05. The Nasdaq Composite gained 81.36 points, or 0.52 per cent, to 15,690.35 at the opening bell.
European shares dropped as investors digested a mixed bag of corporate earnings.
Britain’s FTSE 100 was down 0.5 per cent at 7,642.54. France’s CAC 40 lost 0.2 per cent at 7,623.72. Germany’s DAX fell 0.5 per cent at 16,946.56.
In Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.3 per cent to end at 16,081.89. China’s Shanghai Composite added 1.4 per cent at 2,829.70.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost 0.1 per cent at 36,119.92.
Crude oil prices rose for a third day on Wednesday after US crude inventories grew less than expected.
Brent crude futures rose 51 cents to $79.10 a barrel as of 1412 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 57 cents to $73.88.
Gold prices were mixed on Wednesday. Spot gold was little changed at $2,032.49 per ounce, as of 1213 GMT. US gold futures fell 0.1 per cent to $2,048.50 per ounce.
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Published: 07 Feb 2024, 08:52 PM IST
