The Nikkei 225 rose 1% to around 40,200, while the broader Topix Index gained 0.9% to 2,860 in post-holiday trading on Tuesday, extending last week's gains as investors digested the weekend's election outcome. Although Japan's ruling coalition lost its majority in the upper house, the result was largely anticipated by markets. Importantly, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to remain in office, easing fears of political instability or a sudden resignation. Ishiba reaffirmed his commitment to stay on, citing the need to manage ongoing tariff negotiations with the US and other key...
Stocks were slightly higher Tuesday, as investors look to wrap up another booming year that hoisted the S&P 500 to its second consecutive annual gain exceeding 20%, spurred by enthusiasm for rate cuts, economic strength and artificial intelligence. The broad market index traded 0.3% higher, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 141 points, or 0.3%. The S&P 500 has surged 24% in 2024, building on a gain of 24.2% from last year. The two-year gain of around 54% is the best since the nearly 66% rally in 1997 and 1998. Meanwhile, the Dow has...
US stock futures rose on Tuesday, signaling a rebound after three days of losses and a continuation of Wall Street's strong rally in 2024. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.4%, while Dow Jones futures rose 75 points. The S&P 500 is on track to post a strong gain of about 27% for the year, driven by factors including anticipated interest rate cuts, strong corporate earnings and significant investments in artificial intelligence (AI). Companies such as Palantir Technologies and Nvidia are leading the way with triple-digit gains. The Dow Jones is also performing well, up about...
European markets, including the Stoxx 600, FTSE 100 and CAC 40, traded almost flat on Tuesday ahead of the New Year holiday, reflecting a subdued mood amid political uncertainty and cautious sentiment. Wizz Air bucked the trend, rising on an upbeat growth forecast for 2026. Regional markets are set to close 2024 with modest gains, with the Stoxx 600 up 5.5% for the year. European equities have lost momentum after hitting a record high in September, weighed down by concerns about U.S. tariffs under President-elect Trump and political instability in France and Germany. The CAC 40 is down 2.5%...
European equity markets opened flat on Tuesday, the last trading day of 2024, as traders wrapped up activity ahead of the New Year holiday. Most regional markets are scheduled to close early or remain closed until Jan. 2. Meanwhile, market participants are closely watching how significant U.S. policy shifts, including tariffs, deregulation and tax reform under President-elect Donald Trump, could affect Europe in the year ahead. European stocks remain on track to post modest annual gains. In Asia, official data showed that China's factory activity expanded at a slower pace in December,...
Asian stocks eased on Tuesday in cautious end-of-year trading that has seen investors scale back bets of deep U.S. rate cuts in 2025 and brace for the incoming Trump administration, with the dollar standing tall against most other currencies. Volumes were light with a holiday for the New Year looming and Japan on holiday for the rest of the week, with the Santa-rally losing some steam as elevated Treasury yields weigh on high equity valuations and boost the greenback. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan nudged down 0.2% but was set for an 8% gain in 2024, its second...