Asian Markets Shine While Europe Slips on Holiday-Thinned Monda

Global markets moved in mixed fashion on Monday as Asian bourses posted strong gains while most European indexes drifted lower, with trading subdued because U.S. markets were closed for the Labor Day holiday. The lack of Wall Street reduced liquidity across exchanges. Investors focused on regional economic data and corporate updates, with technology and export-heavy sectors seeing the largest moves. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1,378.90 points (2.12%) to close at 66,399.84, its best day in months, helped by a weaker yen and semiconductor buying. South Korea’s KOSPI rose 4.61% to 6,995.39. In Europe, the FTSE 100 slipped 0.08% to 10,822.13 and Belgium’s BEL 20 fell 0.88% to 5,800.92.