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%,...
Japan's Nikkei Stock Average is flat at 51063.78 as gains in financial shares offset losses in tech and energy stocks. Nomura Holdings is up 2.7% and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group is 2.0% higher while SoftBank Group is down 2.2% and Eneos Holdings is 1.1% lower. Broader market index Topix is up 0.4% at 3372.55. USD/JPY is at 154.84, compared with 154.66 as of Wednesday's Tokyo stock market close. Investors are closely watching quarterly corporate results. Daiwa House Industry and SMC are scheduled to release their results later Thursday. Source: Dow Jones Newswires
US stocks rallied, with the Dow surging 410 points to a new record high, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted modest gains, as confidence grew that the prolonged government shutdown would end this week. The healthcare sector led the way, led by Eli Lilly (up 3%) and AbbVie (up 3.6%), reflecting steady earnings momentum in the sector. The financial sector also outperformed as buyers flocked to major banks, with Goldman Sachs (up 3.5%), JPMorgan (up 1.5%), and American Express (up 0.7%). Meanwhile, AMD (AMD) surprisingly rose with stronger projections, rising 9%, helping lift peers like...
US stocks were higher on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq each up 0.2%, while the Dow Jones gained 250 points to notch a new record high. Sentiment was buoyed by optimism that the government shutdown could soon end, as House members return to Washington to vote on a deal to restore funding to federal agencies after the shutdown that began on October 1st. Traders also focused on a fresh round of corporate updates, with shares of AMD surging more than 8% after the company forecast faster sales growth, lifting the broader tech sector. Nvidia (+0.7%), Broadcom (+1%), and Qualcomm...
The Hang Seng rose 215 points or 0.8% to finish at 26,911 on Wednesday, increasing for the third consecutive session and reaching a one-month peak amid widespread gains across sectors. Sentiment strengthened after China's central bank pledged to keep an "appropriately loose" monetary stance, ensure ample liquidity, and promote policy transmission. An uptick in U.S. futures also lifted risk appetite as the record-long U.S. government shutdown appeared close to ending. Property shares led the rise, jumping over 3%, following Beijing's plan to expand private sector participation in...
The Hang Seng rose 215 points or 0.8% to finish at 26,911 on Wednesday, increasing for the third consecutive session and reaching a one-month peak amid widespread gains across sectors. Sentiment strengthened after China's central bank pledged to keep an "appropriately loose" monetary stance, ensure ample liquidity, and promote policy transmission. An uptick in U.S. futures also lifted risk appetite as the record-long U.S. government shutdown appeared close to ending. Property shares led the rise, jumping over 3%, following Beijing's plan to expand private sector participation in...