NEW YORK, New York - Global equity markets presented a mixed picture to start the trading week on Monday, with technology-led declines in the United States contrasting with broad gains across European bourses.

On Wall Street, major indices closed slightly lower. The Standard and Poor's 500 (^GSPC) edged down 10.90 points, or 0.16 percent, to settle at 6,816.51.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) proved more resilient, dipping just 41.49 points, or 0.09 percent, to finish at 48,416.56.

The Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC), heavy with tech stocks, bore the brunt of the selling pressure, falling 137.76 points, or 0.59 percent, to 23,057.41.

The day's performance was not uniformly negative in the U.S., however. The NYSE Composite (^NYA) managed a gain of 25.67 points, or 0.12 percent, closing at 22,030.02. Smaller caps faced pressure, with the Russell 2000 (^RUT) declining 20.79 points, or 0.81 percent. Market volatility, as measured by the CBOE Volatility Index (^VIX), rose 4.83 percent to 16.50.

European markets enjoyed a positive session. The continent-wide FTSE 100 (^FTSE) in London jumped 102.28 points, or 1.06 percent, to 9,751.31. Germany's DAX (^GDAXI) added 0.18 percent, while France's CAC 40 (^FCHI) rose 0.70 percent. The EURO STOXX 50 (^STOXX50E) climbed 0.56 percent.

In Asia, trading was subdued with losses prevalent. Japan's Nikkei 225 (^N225) retreated 1.31 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (^HSI) fell 1.34 percent, and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 (^AXJO) declined 0.72 percent. South Korea's KOSPI (^KS11) was a notable underperformer, dropping 1.84 percent. Mainland China's SSE Composite (000001.SS) closed down 0.55 percent.

Other global indices showed varied results:

• The Cboe UK 100 (^BUK100P) gained 1.17 percent.

• Canada's S&P/TSX Composite (^GSPTSE) slipped 0.14 percent.

• Brazil's IBOVESPA (^BVSP) rallied 1.07 percent.

• Mexico's IPC (^MXX) fell 0.65 percent.

• India's S&P BSE Sensex (^BSESN) was nearly flat, down just 0.06 percent.

In currency markets, the U.S. Dollar Index (DX-Y.NYB) softened slightly by 0.11 percent. The Euro Currency Index (^XDE) rose 0.15 percent, while the Japanese Yen Currency Index (^XDN) gained 0.43 percent.

Analysts attributed the U.S. weakness to profit-taking in the technology sector following recent rallies, while European markets found support from encouraging regional economic data. Traders are now looking ahead to a busy week of corporate earnings and key economic indicators for further direction.

(This report incorporates quotes retrieved with the assistance of artificial intelligence).

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