World markets trade on a mixed note

World shares were mixed after the benchmark S&P 500 closed at another record high following a report that the US economy grew at an unexpectedly strong 4.3 per cent annual rate in July to September.

The futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were down less than 0.1 per cent. Britain’s FTSE 100 was down 0.2 per cent at 9,870.89, while the CAC 40 in Paris added 0.2 per cent to 8,121.32. Stock exchanges, including those in London, Paris, Hong Kong and Australia, have closed early or will be closing early on Christmas Eve.

Germany’s markets were closed for the day. US markets will end early on Wednesday for Christmas Eve and stay closed for Christmas.

In Asian trading, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.1 per cent to 50,344.10, and South Korea’s Kospi slipped 0.2 per cent to 4,108.62. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.2 per cent to 25,818.93. The Shanghai Composite index edged 0.5 per cent higher, to 3,940.95. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 slipped nearly 0.4 per cent to 8,762.70.