The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq opened lower on Wall Street today after the long weekend as worries about AI-triggered disruptions rattled market confidence and investors focused on developments in nuclear talks between the US and Iran.
The Dow Jones inched 24 points (0.05%) higher at the open to stand at 49,525, while the S&P 500 fell 16 points (0.24%) to trade at 6,820 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 152 points (0.67%) to reach 22,394 at the opening bell.
Most European markets continued to see steady trade this afternoon as US markets reopened after yesterday's public holiday. London's FTSE index had gained 36 points (0.3%) to stand at 10,509 by 2.40pm, while the Paris CAC was up 13 points (0.1%) to trade at 8,330 and the Frankfurt DAX rose 77 points (0.3%) to reach 24,878
But Dublin's ISEQ index had dropped 80 points (0.6%) to hit 12,794 this afternoon. Shares in Kerry Group sank 4.1% to trade at €75.30 after it published its annual results earlier, while Origin Enterprises fell 2% to stand at €4.23. Shares in Kingspan were down 1.8% to reach €78.20 and Greencoat Renewables shed 1.6% to hit 68 cent.
Earlier in Asian trade, Tokyo's Nikkei index lost 240 points (0.4%) to close at 56,566 as investors booked profits amid few fresh trading cues, while the post-election euphoria was ebbing and the earnings season was winding down. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index is closed until Friday for the Lunar New Year holiday.
