European stocks followed Asian equities lower as a sharp drop for cryptocurrencies indicated some investor caution ahead of a slew of US economic data due this week. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index was down 0.2% by 9:22 a.m. in Paris, with the industrials and real estate sectors leading declines. European defense stocks fell after reports of progress in Ukraine-Russia talks, with Germany's Rheinmetall AG and France's Thales SA both declining. Among other individual movers, ASML Holding NV shares rose after the chip equipment maker was named top pick in the semiconductor...
The Hang Seng Index rose 0.7% at 26,033.26 in Hong Kong. The index advanced to the highest closing level since Nov. 17 after the previous session's decrease of 0.3%. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. contributed the most to the index gain, increasing 2.2%. Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. had the largest increase, rising 6.2%. Today, 71 of 88 shares rose, while 17 fell; all sectors were higher, led by commerce and industry stocks. Source : Bloomberg
Wall Street kicked off December on a negative note, with the S&P 500 down 0.7%, the Nasdaq falling 1%, and the Dow Jones losing more than 250 points after a volatile November. Caution dominated markets ahead of several key economic releases this week, including the delayed September PCE report later in the week, all before next week's FOMC decision. Market pricing currently assigns an 87% probability to another 25 bps cut in the federal funds rate. The tech was the worst performing sector, followed by real estate, industrials and communication services while the energy sector managed...