European stocks ended mixed on the last trading day of the year. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed a shortened trading session 0.1% lower on Wednesday, with most sector indexes in negative territory. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 ended the day down 0.2%, bringing the index to an annual gain of 21.5% – its strongest yearly gain since 2009. Meanwhile, France's CAC 40 ended New Year's Eve down 0.2%, while Germany's DAX rose 0.6%. Italy's FTSE MIB gained 1.1%, bringing annual gains to 31.5% and its best year since 1998. Markets were open for a half-day of trading on Wednesday, and will be closed...
The Hang Seng slipped 224 points, or 0.9%, to close early at 25,630 on the final trading day of 2025, as markets closed early ahead of the New Year. The index reversed the prior session's strength as losses spread across all sectors, with tech, consumer, and financial stocks leading the declines. Still, the index posted a second straight annual gain, climbing nearly 28% in 2025. The rally was boosted by a buoyant IPO market in Hong Kong, easing U.S. China trade tensions, and Beijing's pledge to support economic growth through proactive fiscal spending and accommodative monetary...
Japan's Nikkei 225 slipped 0.4% to 50,339 on the final trading session of 2025, weighed down by losses in metals and brokerage stocks. Despite the late pullback, the benchmark index advanced about 26% over the year, marking its third consecutive annual gain, driven largely by strength in chipmakers and construction-related shares. The broader Topix fell 0.5% to 3,409 Tuesday but still closed the year up 22% at a record year-end high, supported by a steady economic recovery, resilient earnings, and easing global trade headwinds, despite concerns over the Bank of Japan's gradual rate hikes....
The Hang Seng Tech Index fell 1% to 5,521, indicating renewed pressure on Hong Kong technology stocks in the latest trading session. This decline reflects a more cautious sentiment towards the technology sector, as the index's movement was dominated by selling in large-cap tech companies, which are typically the main movers. With this weakening, market participants will be watching to see whether the index can hold the 5,500-plus area or whether it opens up room for further correction in the near term. (asd) Source: Newsmaker.id
Asian stock markets opened with limited movement on Wednesday morning (December 31, 2025), ahead of the year's close. Most indices moved slightly and without a clear direction, reflecting the cautious attitude of investors who chose to hold off before entering the new year. Trading activity also tended to be quiet as some market participants had already begun their year-end holidays. In East Asia, the Japanese stock market saw a slight decline at the start of the session, while Chinese and Hong Kong stock markets moved mixed. Investors were still monitoring global conditions, particularly...
US stocks maintained their sluggish momentum on Tuesday afternoon, expected to close the year relatively close to recent record highs as the market assessed the prospects for strong economic growth and the Fed's interest rate cuts amid concerns about excessive valuations for AI companies. The S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, and Dow held off from deviating significantly from the flatline. The minutes from the Fed's latest meeting confirmed that the FOMC was divided on how to weigh the conflicting risks of high inflation and unemployment next year, although there was broad consensus that there was...