Global Stocks: Nikkei at fresh 15-year high and Wall Street moderately lower

U.S. markets moderately declined on Thursday on mixed U.S. data and worries over Greece. Athens requested an extension of the loan agreement but Germany rejected the Greek proposal with German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble stating it was "not a substantial proposal for a solution". The technology, basic material and health care sector added gains while utilities and the energy sector declined. Yesterday data showed that the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey declined to 5.2 in February from 6. 3 in January, missing expectations for a rise to 8.8. That was the lowest reading since February 2014. The number of initial jobless claims in the week ending February 14 in the U.S. fell by 21,000 to 283,000 from 304,000 in the previous week, beating expectations for a rise by 1,000. The U.S. leading economic index climbed by 0.2% in January, after a 0.4% increase in December. December's figure was revised down from a 0.6% gain.

Today data on U.S. Manufacturing PMI and Mortgage Delinquencies will in the focus.

The DOW JONES index lost -0.24% closing at 17,985.77 points. The S&P 500 closed -0.11% with a final quote of 2,097.45 further declining from a record high hit 2 days ago.

Chinese markets are closed today for a public holiday as the Lunar New year celebrations take place.

Japanese markets rose for a third day and closed at a fresh 15-year high in today's trading. The Nikkei added gains, closing +0.37% with a final quote of 18,332.30 points - the highest level since 2000. Market sentiment was boosted by strong U.S. jobs data.