FTSE 100 climbs to new post pandemic high, Sensex open in red

Indian markets opened in red on Friday dragged by losses in banks and financial stocks

UK’s major indices closed in green on Thursday (AFP via Getty Images)

London’s FTSE reached its highest level since the pandemic hit the UK, as the country prepares for reopening.

The FTSE 100 rose 56.9 points to 6,942.22, its highest level since Feb 26 2020, while the FTSE 250 was up by 86 points, at another all time high.

Meanwhile, the US stocks closed moderately higher while the S&P 500 climbed up to a new high again on Thursday led by large technology companies.

Asian markets were mixed as Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.1 per cent in early trade while the Topix index advanced 0.88 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.35 per cent. Stocks in Australia dipped as the S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.1 per cent. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan traded 0.12 per cent higher.

However, Indian markets opened in red on Friday, dragged by losses in banks and financial stocks. After opening the Sensex was down by 210 points at 49,535 while the Nifty fell 60 points to 14,813. It later recovered and entered the green in an hour, showing minor gains.

Yesterday, Indian shares ended some way off the day’s high but still in the green, rising for a third straight session on Thursday. The Sensex ended 84 points higher at 49,746 while the Nifty rose 55 points to settle at 14,874.