European stocks finished the session firmly higher, with the Euro STOXX 50 rising 0.7% and the STOXX Europe 600 gaining 0.8%, extending a rebound from Friday's tech-led selloff as investors looked past near-term volatility. Gains were broad-based, though the defense sector came under pressure after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled Ukraine's willingness to drop its long-standing bid for NATO membership in exchange for alternative security guarantees, a shift that raised hopes for progress in peace talks resuming in Berlin. Shares of Rheinmetall fell 2.6%, with Hensoldt and Renk also...
The STOXX 50 rose 0.5% and the STOXX 600 gained 0.3% on Friday, marking a second consecutive session of increases and tracking global optimism after the Federal Reserve cut the fed funds rate and struck a less hawkish tone than expected. Bank stocks were among the top performers: BNP Paribas climbed 1.4% after announcing it is in exclusive talks to sell its 67% stake in its Moroccan subsidiary BMCI to Holmarcom Group, while HSBC Holdings (+1.8%), UBS (+4.4%), and Barclays (+1.3%) also advanced. In the retail sector, Adidas (+2.4%) and Puma (+4.5%) recorded solid gains following Lululemon...
Hong Kong equities advanced on Friday as investors welcomed fresh policy signals from China's Central Economic Work Conference aimed at strengthening the domestic economy. The Hang Seng Index gained 446.28 points, or 1.8%, to 25,976.79, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index added 145.07 points, or 1.6%, to 9,079.35. Chinese leaders promised to implement a more active fiscal policy next year to support consumption and investment. The commitments were detailed in a Xinhua News Agency readout of the annual economic work conference, which defines policy priorities for the year...
Japan's Nikkei 225 index closed higher on Friday, buoyed by global market optimism after the Fed cut interest rates again and signaled a looser policy stance going forward. Falling US bond yields have boosted risk appetite, encouraging investors to invest more in stocks, including in the Japanese market. The weakening US dollar and the yen's slight weakening also helped sentiment, as Japanese exporter stocks still appear attractive to the market. Domestically, market participants remain cautious ahead of the Bank of Japan (BoJ) meeting on December 18-19, as speculation persists that the BoJ...
Hong Kong stocks rose around 272 points, or 1.1%, to 25,806 at the start of trading on Friday, after a slight correction in the previous session. This increase occurred across nearly all sectors, indicating improved buying sentiment among market participants. Market sentiment improved after President Xi Jinping stated at the Central Economic Work Conference that 2025 would be a "truly extraordinary year" and that key economic targets would be achieved. The Chinese government also reiterated its commitment to implementing more proactive and coordinated macroeconomic policies to stimulate...
Japanese stock indexes rose in recent trading, following Wall Street's recent record highs. This rise was supported by expectations that the Fed will maintain its loose monetary policy in the near term. The technology, metals, and electronics sectors led the gains, with SoftBank Group shares surging 4.9%, Sumitomo Metal Mining up 4.7%, and Hitachi Ltd. gaining 3.2%. In the foreign exchange market, USD/JPY traded around 155.58, slightly weakening from 156.09 at the close of trading in Tokyo on Thursday, reflecting slightly more positive sentiment towards the yen. Investors are also starting...