NEW YORK, New York - Global stock markets closed on a mixed note to start the trading week, with U.S. technology shares powering the Nasdaq Composite to a standout gain, while European indices stumbled and Asian bourses showed a divided picture.

On Wall Street, the Standard and Poor's 500 (^GSPC) advanced by 54.19 points, or 0.72 percent, to close at 7,537.43. The benchmark index traded between an intraday low of 7,500.97 and a high of 7,551.31, with volume reaching 2.962 billion shares. The index remains well above its 52-week low of 6,201.00 and within striking distance of its 52-week peak of 7,620.90.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) posted a more modest gain, rising 155.84 points, or 0.29 percent, to finish at 53,055.91. The blue-chip index touched a session low of 52,648.69 and a high of 53,060.10, with volume of 456.497 million shares. The Dow's 52-week range stands at 43,340.68 on the low end and 53,060.10 at the top.

Leading the charge was the NASDAQ Composite (^IXIC), which surged by 288.49 points, or 1.12 percent, to close at 26,121.16. The tech-heavy index benefited from broad strength in semiconductor and mega-cap growth names, with volume reaching 6.769 billion shares.

European markets closed mostly lower, weighed down by disappointing manufacturing data and lingering concerns over eurozone political uncertainty.

The FTSE 100 (^FTSE) in London fell 27.26 points, or 0.26 percent, to settle at 10,651.77. The index moved between 10,618.43 and 10,733.39, with its 52-week range spanning 8,798.70 to 10,934.90.

Germany's DAX P (^GDAXI) bucked the regional trend, adding 38.58 points, or 0.15 percent, to close at 25,817.89. The DAX traded from 25,698.56 to a high of 25,900.10, with its 52-week low at 21,863.81 and high at 25,900.10.

France's CAC 40 (^FCHI) declined by 28.20 points, or 0.33 percent, finishing at 8,479.87 after ranging between 8,465.79 and 8,561.38. The index's 52-week boundaries are 7,505.27 and 8,642.23.

The broader EURO STOXX 50 I (^STOXX50E) slipped 14.67 points, or 0.23 percent, to end at 6,398.01 (session low: 6,376.96; high: 6,431.42; 52-week: 5,154.83–6,431.42). The Euronext 100 Index (^N100) dropped 4.16 points, or 0.21 percent, to 1,934.34 (low: 1,927.05; high: 1,944.47; 52-week: 1,534.95–1,944.47). Belgium's BEL 20 (^BFX) suffered the sharpest decline in Europe, tumbling 81.20 points, or 1.40 percent, to 5,732.45 (low: 5,718.20; high: 5,811.69; 52-week: 4,463.94–5,817.71).

Asian-Pacific markets delivered a split performance, with Hong Kong and Australia moving in opposite directions.

Hong Kong's HANG SENG INDEX rose 266.29 points, or 1.14 percent, to close at 23,616.32. The index traded between 23,229.38 and 23,686.56, with its 52-week range at 22,518.00 on the low side and 28,056.10 at the peak.

Singapore's STI Index (^STI) gained 15.52 points, or 0.30 percent, finishing at 5,259.81 (low: 5,233.21; high: 5,261.37; 52-week: 4,011.88–5,261.37).

By contrast, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 (^AXJO) lost 13.40 points, or 0.15 percent, to settle at 8,831.00 (low: 8,817.50; high: 8,856.80; 52-week: 8,262.40–9,202.90). The broader ALL ORDINARIES (^AORD) slipped 11.30 points, or 0.12 percent, to 9,037.00 (low: 9,024.90; high: 9,062.20; 52-week: 8,454.90–9,436.20).

India's S&P BSE SENSEX (^BSESN) advanced 521.16 points, or 0.67 percent, to 78,285.07 (low: 77,879.70; high: 78,398.06; 52-week: 71,545.81–86,159.02).

Southeast Asian markets saw modest gains. Indonesia's IDX COMPOSITE (^JKSE) rose 40.29 points, or 0.69 percent, to 5,916.07 (low: 5,857.35; high: 5,935.68; 52-week: 5,317.91–9,174.47). Malaysia's FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (^KLSE) added 4.48 points, or 0.27 percent, closing at 1,683.53 (low: 1,678.37; high: 1,685.49; 52-week: 1,510.14–1,771.25).

New Zealand's S&P/NZX 50 INDEX GROSS (^NZ50) climbed 144.68 points, or 1.06 percent, to 13,763.10 (low: 13,618.42; high: 13,763.10; 52-week: 12,614.76–13,763.10).

Losses prevailed in Northeast Asia. South Korea's KOSPI Composite Index (^KS11) dropped 37.01 points, or 0.46 percent, to 8,051.33 (52-week range: 0.00–9,385.59). Taiwan's TWSE Capitalization Weighted Stock Index (^TWII) fell 224.23 points, or 0.48 percent, finishing at 46,556.39 (low: 46,431.38; high: 47,395.30; 52-week: 22,190.46–48,218.87).

Elsewhere in the Americas, Canada's S&P/TSX Composite index (^GSPTSE) declined 62.52 points, or 0.18 percent, to 35,212.32 on volume of 277.848 million shares.

In the Middle East, Israel's TA-125 (^TA125.TA) rallied 45.15 points, or 1.10 percent, to close at 4,144.77 (low: 4,098.89; high: 4,144.77; 52-week: 2,934.35–4,588.75). Egypt's EGX 30 Price Return Index (^CASE30) was the day's global outperformer, surging 1,371.80 points, or 2.68 percent, to 52,502.70 on volume of 429.336 million shares, after trading between 51,130.90 and a session high of 52,526.50.

South Africa's Top 40 USD Net TRI Index (^JN0U.JO) fell 36.22 points, or 0.53 percent, to 6,799.14.

Mainland China and Japan ended the session essentially flat. The SSE Composite Index (000001.SS) in Shanghai dipped 2.41 points, or 0.06 percent, to 4,041.24 on volume of 3.202 billion shares. Meanwhile, Japan's Nikkei 225 shed a mere 6.38 points, or 0.01 percent, to finish at 69,737.69, making it the quietest major index of the day.

Market participants now look ahead to U.S. inflation data later this week, with traders eyeing the Federal Reserve's next policy move after a string of resilient labour market readings. European Central Bank minutes, due on Thursday, are also expected to provide fresh clues on the pace of future rate cuts in the eurozone.

U.S. dollar loses ground against most major currencies - except for the yen 

Global currency markets opened the new trading week with cautious optimism on Monday, as the U.S. dollar showed mixed performance against major peers amid shifting expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.

The euro edged marginally higher against the greenback, with the EUR-USD pair settling at 1.1441, a modest gain of 0.04 percent on the day. Traders noted that the single currency remained supported by resilient Eurozone services data, though gains were capped ahead of key U.S. inflation readings later in the week.

The most striking move came from the Japanese yen, which weakened sharply as the USD-JPY pair surged to 162.07, a jump of 0.45 percent. The yen's decline pushed the dollar to its highest level against the Japanese currency in nearly three months, driven by a widening interest rate differential and fresh comments from Bank of Japan officials who reaffirmed their ultra-loose monetary policy stance.

Sterling continued its recent bullish run, with GBP-USD climbing to 1.3392, an appreciation of 0.31 percent. The pound traded within striking distance of its 2025 peak, buoyed by expectations that the Bank of England will hold rates steady for longer than its U.S. and European counterparts. Markets priced in a roughly 60 percent chance of a BoE rate cut only in November.

In the commodity currency space, the Australian dollar maintained its upward trajectory, with the AUD-USD pair trading at 0.6957, up 0.25 percent. The "Aussie" drew support from rising iron ore prices and stronger-than-expected retail sales data out of China over the weekend, which bolstered demand prospects for Australian exports.

The U.S. dollar's performance against its northern neighbor was more subdued. The USD-CAD pair inched up to 1.4205, a gain of just 0.04 percent, as oil prices – a key driver for the loonie – remained volatile amid supply concerns from Middle East tensions. The marginal move suggested a near-balance between buyers and sellers ahead of Wednesday's Bank of Canada policy announcement, where markets are evenly split on a possible quarter-point cut.

Analysts said the overall tone of Monday's session was one of consolidation, with many institutional investors awaiting Thursday's U.S. Consumer Price Index report for clearer direction.

"The dollar is finding a floor against the yen and the loonie, but it's losing momentum against the pound and the Aussie as markets parse diverging central bank narratives," said Maria Gonzalez, head of G10 FX strategy at Mercato Global in New York. "The big story remains the 162 handle in USD-JPY – that's a psychological level that has intervention watchers on high alert."