Global equity markets delivered a divided opening on Friday, with technology-led gains in Japan, South Korea and Germany offset by weakness in China, Hong Kong and commodity-sensitive shares. Softer US inflation figures supported expectations that the Federal Reserve could delay further interest-rate increases, while renewed tension involving Iran pushed oil prices higher and limited investors’ appetite for risk.
Asian technology shares advance
Asian markets produced a mixed session. Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained around 1.5 per cent, supported by electronics and technology companies, while South Korea’s Kospi climbed approximately 1.8 per cent as investors returned to semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares.
The broader MSCI Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan edged 0.2 per cent higher and was heading towards its strongest weekly performance in two months. Expectations of an immediate US rate increase weakened after consumer and producer price figures indicated that inflationary pressure remained under control.
Chinese markets moved in the opposite direction. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell about 1 per cent, while the Shanghai Composite declined 0.5 per cent. India’s Sensex also traded around 0.5 per cent lower, reflecting a cautious response to domestic inflation data and pressure on selected large companies.
Arab markets focus on oil and Iran
Trading in the United Arab Emirates opened unevenly. Dubai’s DFM General Index advanced approximately 0.7 per cent to around 5,920 points, while Abu Dhabi’s FTSE ADX General Index dropped roughly 0.8 per cent towards 10,008 points.
Regional investors continued to monitor the confrontation involving Iran and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude rose above $88 a barrel after the United States threatened to maintain an indefinite naval blockade, increasing concern about the security of Gulf energy exports.
Most other major Arab exchanges, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt, were closed for their normal Friday weekend. On Thursday, Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul index had declined 0.2 per cent, Dubai lost 0.2 per cent and Qatar fell 0.4 per cent, while Abu Dhabi and Egypt ended higher.
African shares open cautiously
African markets also opened mixed. South Africa’s FTSE/JSE All Share Index slipped around 0.5 per cent to approximately 113,600 points, extending a retreat from recent highs. Mining companies faced pressure as investors took profits in gold and copper following their earlier rallies.
Nairobi performed more steadily, with Kenya’s NSE 20 index edging 0.02 per cent higher to about 4,126 points. The Kenyan market remains one of Africa’s stronger performers in 2026, supported by improving corporate earnings, relative macroeconomic stability and renewed foreign investor interest.
Europe holds close to record levels
European shares opened almost unchanged. The pan-European STOXX 600 gained just 0.05 per cent to 659.65, leaving the benchmark near record territory but on course for a modest weekly loss.
Germany’s DAX rose around 0.6 per cent as technology companies advanced, while London’s FTSE 100 slipped marginally as falling gold and copper prices weighed on major mining groups. Across Europe, technology shares gained approximately 1.4 per cent, while basic resources declined 1.6 per cent.
The opening showed that investors remain willing to support AI and technology companies, but Friday’s higher oil prices demonstrated how quickly geopolitical developments could challenge that confidence.
Newshub Editorial in Global markets – 14 August 2026
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