Global stock markets are exhibiting contrasting trends today, with the US leading gains and Europe facing continued pressure. Asian markets are also experiencing a mixed session.

Wall Street closed positively yesterday, as investors exercised caution before the release of key US retail inflation data. The S&P 500 rose modestly by 0.14%, ending at 5,209.91 points. Similarly, the Nasdaq edged up 0.32%, closing at 16,306.64 points. This positive sentiment seems to be carrying over, with Dow Jones Futures currently trading slightly higher at 38,929.77 points.

In contrast, European markets saw continued declines yesterday. The FTSE fell 0.11% to close at 7,934.79 points, while the CAC dropped 0.87% to end at 8,049.17 points. The DAX experienced the most significant decline, falling 1.34% to close at 18,076.69 points.

Asian markets are presenting a more mixed picture today. Four out of nine markets are trading in positive territory, while two are down. The Nikkei and Shanghai Composite indices are experiencing slight declines of 0.37% and 0.34% respectively.

However, there are some bright spots in Asia. The Hang Seng has jumped a significant 1.88%, reaching 17,144.54 points. Similarly, the GIFT Nifty and Taiwan Weighted Index are also up by 0.21% and 0.11% respectively.

The overall market picture reflects investor uncertainty as they await the US inflation data. A positive figure could trigger further gains in the US market, while a higher-than-expected reading might lead to broader market corrections.