World Markets Subdued on Trade, Brexit Tensions
SINGAPORE (AP) - World markets were subdued on Friday as trade tensions and political risks surrounding Britain's exit from the European Union kept investor cautious.
KEEPING SCORE: France's CAC lost 0.2 percent to 5,021 while Germany's DAX was down 0.1 percent at 11,344. Britain's FTSE 100 shed 0.3 percent to 7,016. Wall Street was set for a weak open, with Dow futures down 0.4 percent and S&P 500 futures 0.5 percent lower.
ASIA'S DAY: Japan's Nikkei 225 index lost 0.6 percent to 21,680.34 while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong added 0.3 percent to 26,183.53. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.2 percent to 2,092.40
BREXIT: Discord over British Prime Minister Theresa May's plan for Britain's departure from the European Union next year has shaken major European stock indexes and the pound. May persuaded a majority in her Cabinet to back an agreement that would allow Britain to stay in a customs union while a trade treaty is negotiated, but the deal faces an uncertain fate in Parliament and two of her Cabinet ministers, including the Brexit minister, resigned in protest.
KEEPING SCORE: France's CAC lost 0.2 percent to 5,021 while Germany's DAX was down 0.1 percent at 11,344. Britain's FTSE 100 shed 0.3 percent to 7,016. Wall Street was set for a weak open, with Dow futures down 0.4 percent and S&P 500 futures 0.5 percent lower.
ASIA'S DAY: Japan's Nikkei 225 index lost 0.6 percent to 21,680.34 while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong added 0.3 percent to 26,183.53. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.2 percent to 2,092.40
BREXIT: Discord over British Prime Minister Theresa May's plan for Britain's departure from the European Union next year has shaken major European stock indexes and the pound. May persuaded a majority in her Cabinet to back an agreement that would allow Britain to stay in a customs union while a trade treaty is negotiated, but the deal faces an uncertain fate in Parliament and two of her Cabinet ministers, including the Brexit minister, resigned in protest.