Global Stocks: Wall Street flat, China and Japan add gains

U.S. markets closed almost unchanged on Wednesday. The DOW JONES index lost -0.04% closing at 17,862.14 points. The S&P 500 closed flat at +0.00% with a final quote of 2,068.53as investors worried about the outcome of the negotiations with Greece. The Eurozone Finance Minister Meetings failed to reach an agreement and deliver a joint statement on the outcome. Officials stated that discussions will continue. Greece's bailout will expire on February 28^th. Fears that Greece might leave the Eurozone, the "Grexit", add to uncertainty and weigh on the markets.

Today U.S. data on Initial Jobless Claims, Retail Sales and Business Inventories are due at 13:30 GMT

Chinese shares added gains on Thursday in the wake of the Chinese New Year were volumes are expected to remain low. Hong Kong's Hang Seng is trading +0.36% at 24,402.37 points. China's Shanghai Composite closed at 3,173.35 points +0.50%. The index has gained more than 50% over the past year boosted by monetary easing and the creation of an exchange link with Hong Kong.

Japanese markets after being closed yesterday for a public holiday, trade at 7-1/2 -year highs. The Nikkei skyrocketed, closing +1.85% with a final quote of 17,979.72 points on a weaker yen boosting exporter shares.