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· The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit an all-time high on Wednesday as Disney shares popped while investors digested testimony from the top-ranking Federal Reserve official.

The 30-stock average closed 92.10 points higher, or 0.3% at 27,783.59, notching intraday and closing records. Disney jumped 7.4% after the media giant said its Disney+ streaming service got more than 10 million sign-ups after launching on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the S&P 500 eked out a record closing high, its 20th of the year, ending the day up 0.1% at 3,094.04. The Nasdaq Composite, however, closed just below the flatline at 8,482.10.

Gains were capped after Dow Jones reported U.S.-China trade talks have hit a snag over agricultural purchases. The report also said Beijing is resisting requests from the U.S. to curb tech transfers as well as enforcement mechanisms. China is also reportedly balking at commitments to specific farm purchases from the U.S.

· European stocks closed lower on Wednesday amid concern over U.S.-China trade talks, while investors monitored comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 was down 0.2% during afternoon trade, dragged down by bank shares. Commerzbank was the worst performer in the sector, down 6%, while Deutsche Bank slipped over 4%.

· Stocks in Asia were mixed on Thursday as Fed Chairman Jerome Powell indicated that interest rates were unlikely to change going forward.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.12% in early trade, with shares of Familymart dropping more than 2%. The Topix index also shed 0.19%.

Japan’s economic growth touched a 1-year low in the third quarter, Reuters reported Thursday citing government data. GDP grew 0.2% on an annualized rate in the third quarter, well lower than a median market forecast of a 0.8% rise.

Overall, the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index was fractionally lower.