The S&P 500 added 0.4 per cent and the Dow increased 0.5 per cent, the Nasdaq added 0.5 per cent

World shares were mixed on Thursday after modest gains on Wall Street that kept the market on track for a fourth consecutive weekly gain.

Markets in Japan and the U.S. are closed for holidays.

Germany’s DAX added 0.1 per cent to 15,969.49 and the CAC 40 in Paris was 0.1 per cent higher at 7,266.18. Britain’s FTSE 100 rose 0.2 per cent higher to 7,080.48.

The futures for the S&P 500 and DJIA were virtually unchanged.

On Wednesday, the S&P 500 added 0.4 per cent and the Dow increased 0.5 per cent. The Nasdaq added 0.5 per cent. Trading was muted ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. U.S. markets will open for half a day of trading on Friday.

In Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng reversed early losses, advancing 1 per cent to 17,910.84 and the Shanghai Composite index increased 0.6 per cent to 3,061.86.

Markets in Greater China have been swaying in response to moves by Chinese regulators to boost the ailing property market. Shares in troubled developer Country Garden climbed 16 per cent amid reports that it is included on a list of real estate firms eligible for financing support. Sino-Ocean Group Holding’s shares surged 27 per cent.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.6 per cent to 7,029.20. In South Korea, the Kospi rose 0.1 per cent, to 2,514.96.

Bangkok’s SET shed 0.4 per cent and the Taiex in Taiwan was 0.1 per cent lower. The Sensex in Mumbai added 0.1 per cent.

Technology stocks accounted for a big share of Wednesday’s gains for the S&P 500. Microsoft gained 1.3 per cent and Google parent Alphabet advanced 1.1 per cent.

A 0.9 per cent drop in oil prices weighed on energy firms. Energy giant Exxon Mobil dropped 0.4 per cent and oilfield services firm Halliburton lost 0.8 per cent.

Treasury yields were relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury gained to 4.41 per cent from 4.40 per cent late Tuesday.

A consumer sentiment survey by the University of Michigan showed that confidence remains strong. Wall Street has been closely watching consumer spending and confidence reports for more clues on the economy’s path ahead.