Asian and European stock markets experienced mixed performance on Friday as US markets were closed for the July 4th holiday. In Asia, Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 fell slightly from its record close on Thursday, ending at 40,912.37 points after the government reported a 1.8% decline in consumer spending for May. Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 1%, the Shanghai Composite index gave up 0.3%, the Kospi in Seoul jumped 1.3%, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.1%, Taiwan's Taiex edged 0.1% higher, and the SET in Bangkok was up 0.2%. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index is down 0.3 percent, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index is down 1.0 percent, and Shanghai's Composite is down 1.2 percent.
In Europe, stock markets showed gains. The FTSE 100 in the UK was up 0.2%, Germany's DAX rose 0.4%, and France's CAC 40 gained 0.8%. European markets had moved upward on Thursday over calming electoral news in the United Kingdom and France. The return of the main opposition Labour Party to power in Britain ended 14 years of Tory rule and strengthened the pound. In France, efforts to block the far-right from taking over the government have boosted the Euro and breathed life into European markets.
US benchmark crude oil lost 23 cents to $83.65 per barrel, while Brent crude declined 35 cents to $87.08 per barrel. The Euro is up against the dollar, while the pound is also up against the dollar. The yen continued strengthening against the dollar. West Texas Intermediate is down 0.2 percent, and Brent North Sea Crude is down 0.3 percent. Wall Street is closed for the July 4 Independence Day holiday in the United States.
Asian markets were largely down as traders awaited the US jobs report. Japan's Nikkei 225 and the broader Topix index shed some of their gains after hitting record highs. The yen continued to strengthen against the dollar. Hong Kong's four-day winning streak ended, while stocks in mainland China traded lower after the EU imposed extra provisional duties on Chinese electric car imports. European markets gained after the Labour Party's win in the UK and the withdrawal of centrist and left-wing candidates in France to avoid splintering the vote in favor of the far-right National Rally. Investor sentiment was lifted by softer US labor market data, giving the Federal Reserve room to cut interest rates. Wall Street was closed for the July 4 holiday.