Global stock markets experienced mixed performance on Thursday, March 24th, as investors grappled with ongoing concerns around inflation, the pace of economic recovery, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Asia, Japan's Nikkei rose by 0.3%, while China's Shanghai Composite fell by 0.4%. South Korea's Kospi and Australia's ASX 200 both posted gains of 0.5%.
In Europe, the pan-European STOXX 600 index fell by 0.5%, while Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 both experienced a drop of 0.7%. The UK's FTSE 100 was down by 0.4%.
U.S. stock futures pointed to a lower open, with Dow Jones futures down by 0.3% and S&P 500 futures down by 0.2%.
The mixed performance reflects ongoing concerns around the trajectory of the global economy, as well as uncertainty around the timing and effectiveness of vaccine rollouts. Investors are also watching closely for signs of rising inflation, which could lead to higher interest rates and slower economic growth.
In the currency markets, the U.S. dollar strengthened against a basket of major currencies, while the euro and British pound both weakened.
The price of gold, often seen as a safe haven in times of economic uncertainty, was up by 0.1%, while crude oil prices were down by 0.4%.
Overall, the mixed performance of global markets reflects the ongoing challenges and uncertainties facing investors and the global economy, as countries work to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and navigate a complex and rapidly evolving economic landscape.