Asian Equities Show Strength Despite Weak U.S. Markets

Yesterday U.S. stocks close very weak due to poor performance of financial stocks after exposure to subprime related instruments and subsequent losses. Also aiding the slide was rising crude oil prices which are now trading at U.S.$108 per barrel. High inflation coupled with slower economic growth is making equity markets highly volatile. Also OPEC nations are not expected to raise crude oil output after tasting huge profits out of record high oil prices. However, today Asian equity markets today staged good performance in an otherwise weak sentiment due to extreme nervousness globally. European markets too are trading firm. It will be interesting to see whether this time Dow Jones take strong cues from Asian and European markets and trade higher or will it find it's own problems too heavy to digest these positive sentiments. Commodities are also showing mixed trend as regular profit booking is emerging as one doesn't want to repeat mistakes that have been made in profitable equity positions earlier in the month of jan 2008. Next few weeks will be very important in deciding future course of capital markets globally.