Global Markets Mixed After Big Sell-Off

Once again it is all about central banks, with early negative sentiment heading into Asian trading - following the disappointing announcement from the PBOC about "ample liquidity" leading to the 6th consecutive drop in the Shanghai Composite while the PenNikkeiStock index tumbled yet again -  completely erased and flipped as Mario Draghi spoke, although not to explain his involvement with the latest European derivative window-dressing scandal, but

To some, today is Martin Luther King day and as a result the US markets are closed, especially since today is also the day when Obama celebrates his second inauguration with Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor at his side (hopefully not on the taxpayers' dime).

US equity index futures suggested a lower Wall Street opening on Wednesday as investors looked to earnings reports and data on durable goods orders to gauge the economic outlook

US equity index futures suggested a lower Wall Street opening on Wednesday as investors looked to earnings reports and data on durable goods orders to gauge the economic outlook

Starting with the Asian markets this morning, it appear the roller coaster ride for markets continued overnight. Asian equities started the day trading weaker but shortly after the open though, all of Asia bounced off the lows following the previously noted surge in Chinese A-shares soaring more than 5% in a matter of minutes in what was initially described as a potential “fat finger” incident.

By Equitymaster: Indian equity markets traded firm throughout the trading session today on the back of sustained buying activity across index heavyweights. Although trading was largely rangebound in the morning session, buying pace picked up post noon. The final hours saw the indices inch upwards to close well above the dotted line.

Equitymaster submits: The Indian stock market began the day's proceedings on a strong note before profit booking at higher levels erased some gains. However, the markets managed to trade above the dotted line throughout the trading session, although trading remained range bound from the afternoon session onwards including the final hour. While the BSE-Sensex closed higher by around 52 points (up 0.3%), the NSE-Nifty closed higher by around 23 points (up 0.4%).