European equity markets extended their rally on the first trading day of 2026, with benchmark indices pushing to fresh record highs despite thin liquidity following the New Year holiday. Gains were led by defense stocks, underpinned by persistent geopolitical tensions and expectations of increased military spending across the region. The STOXX 50 climbed 0.7% to a new all-time high of 5,830 points, while the broader STOXX 600 rose 0.4% to a record 595 points. The strong start to the year follows a robust performance in 2025, when the STOXX 50 advanced about 18% and the STOXX 600 rose 17%,...
European shares ended higher on Monday, boosted by technology-focused stocks as risk sentiment improved on growing expectations of a U.S. interest rate cut next month, while investors also focused on progress in the Ukraine peace plan. The pan-European STOXX 600 was up 0.31% to 563.83 points at close after the index logged its steepest weekly drop since late July on Friday. The upbeat momentum was led by Wall Street following dovish comments from U.S. Federal Reserve policymaker John Williams on Friday, signalling that interest rates could fall "in the near term". This bolstered the...
US stocks traded higher on Monday as markets kicked off a holiday-shortened Thanksgiving week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7%, Nasdaq gained 1.2%, and the Dow Jones advanced 120 points, with traders increasing bets on a Fed rate cut next month, following comments from the head of the NY Fed last Friday. The odd for a 25bps reduction in the fed funds rate currently stand at around 65%. Investors are also bracing for a busy week of economic data, including retail sales, durable goods orders, and PPI figures. Communication services and consumer discretionary were by far the top performers while...
European stocks rose Monday, starting the new week on a positive note given renewed optimism that the U.S. Federal Reserve can cut interest rates next month. Fed rate cut hopes boost sentiment European stock markets have followed the gains seen in Asia earlier Monday, boosted by comments from influential Federal Reserve policymaker John Williams who said at the end of last week that U.S. interest rates can fall "in the near term". The Fed's next meeting will take place on Dec. 9-10 and markets are currently pricing in a 69.3% chance of a quarter-percentage-point cut, according to the CME...
Hong Kong stocks rebounded strongly in the morning session on Monday (November 24th), rising 266 points or 1% to 25,478 after six consecutive days of declines. This increase occurred as investors began buying low-priced stocks, particularly in the property, financial, and technology sectors. Sentiment was also boosted by strengthening US index futures, after New York Fed President John Williams signaled that interest rates could be cut again this year due to the weakening labor market. Furthermore, Premier Li Qiang's comments on China's critical minerals policy, emphasizing a balance between...
Asia-Pacific markets started the week with gains after New York Fed President John Williams signaled that a third interest rate cut is still possible this year. His statement that labor market weakness is a greater risk than inflation has increased the odds of a December rate cut, with the market now pricing in around a 70% chance. Today's gains also represent a rebound from last week's decline, when Asian technology stocks plunged. South Korea led the recovery, with the Kospi rising 1.28% and the Kosdaq gaining 0.5%, while Samsung jumped more than 3%. In Australia, the ASX 200 index rose...