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...
Europe's benchmark index dropped on Friday, retreating from the edge of a record high as a selloff in US technology stocks weighed on global gauges. The Stoxx Europe 600 declined 0.5%, reversing earlier gains. The index ended the session within just over 1% of its November closing record. Travel and leisure as well as utilities stocks outperformed, while banks and basic resources led declines. UBS Group AG shares rose 2.5% to the highest level since 2008, after a group of center-right Swiss lawmakers proposed a compromise solution in the debate over the group's...
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...