Global shares mostly rise despite mounting omicron worries
ABC News
Global shares are mostly higher amid nervous trading due to worries over the newest coronavirus variant
TOKYO -- Global shares were mostly higher Wednesday amid nervous trading due to worries over the newest coronavirus variant.
France's CAC 40 edged up 0.5% in early trading to 6,751.87, while Germany's DAX added 0.7% to 15,206.89. Britain's FTSE 100 jumped 1.1% to 7,137.60. U.S. shares were set to drift higher with Dow futures up 0.5% at 34,617.00. S&P 500 futures rose 0.8% to 4,602.50.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.4% to finish at 27,935.62. South Korea's Kospi jumped 2.1% to 2,899.72. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 dipped 0.3% to 7,235.90. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.8% to 23,658.92, while the Shanghai Composite added 0.4% to 3,576.89.
The detection of the omicron variant in Japan and other countries has raised fears that further measures to contain infections may squelch tourism and other economic activity. Experts say it may take weeks before they better understand whether the omicron variant causes serious illness.
