Asia And Europe Markets Mixed; Oil Stays Below $70, Dollar Retreats - Global Markets Today While US Slept

Asia Markets Mixed, Nikkei Hits 30-Year High

Asian markets finished mixed on Wednesday, with the Nikkei 225 index hitting a 30-year high. The Nikkei gained 1.1% to close at 29,604.29, its highest level since August 1990. The broader Topix index also rose 0.8% to 1,980.81. In China, the Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.3% to 3,454.16, while the Shenzhen Composite Index lost 0.4% to 2,363.07. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index gained 0.2% to 28,440.33.

European Markets Mixed

European markets were mixed on Wednesday, with the FTSE 100 index falling 0.2% to 7,064.34. The German DAX index gained 0.2% to 15,432.81, while the French CAC 40 index rose 0.3% to 6,187.24. In Italy, the FTSE MIB index fell 0.3% to 24,917.09.

Oil Stays Below $70

Oil prices fell on Wednesday, with Brent crude futures falling 0.5% to $69.53 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures also fell 0.5% to $66.49 a barrel. Oil prices have been under pressure in recent weeks due to concerns about the global economic recovery.

Dollar Retreats

The US dollar retreated on Wednesday, with the euro rising 0.3% to $1.2224. The dollar has been under pressure in recent weeks due to expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates low for a longer period of time.

Global Markets Today While US Slept

While the US markets were closed for the Independence Day holiday, global markets were mixed on Wednesday. Asian markets were mixed, with the Nikkei 225 index hitting a 30-year high. European markets were also mixed, with the FTSE 100 index falling 0.2%. Oil prices fell, with Brent crude futures falling 0.5% to $69.53 a barrel. The US dollar retreated, with the euro rising 0.3% to $1.2224.