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%,...
The Hong Kong stock market opened higher on Tuesday morning, November 25, 2025. The Hang Seng Index rose around 0.9%, or 232 points, to 25,948.9 at the open, continuing its rally after previously gaining nearly 2% to 25,717 on Monday. Positive sentiment was supported by a rebound in global markets and growing confidence that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its December meeting, boosting risk appetite in Asian stock markets, including Hong Kong. Riskier stocks, particularly technology and cyclical sectors, regained interest after sharp selling pressure in recent weeks. In...
The Nikkei index opened up around 0.7% to 48,976.51 in early trading on Tuesday, following the rebound in technology stocks on Wall Street overnight. The index's gains were led by chip stocks, which are sought after by investors. Kioxia Holdings surged around 11%, while Advantest rose around 5.3%, reflecting strong market interest in the semiconductor sector. In the currency market, USD/JPY traded steady at around 156.85, virtually unchanged from its closing position on Monday. Investors are also monitoring developments in Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's economic policies, which the market...
Asian stocks rallied, following Wall Street's gains, buoyed by confidence that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates in December and a rebound in technology stocks. Japanese and South Korean stocks rose, while the index of Chinese companies listed in the US also rallied after President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping resumed talks following last month's tariff truce. Dovish comments from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly, and New York Fed President John Williams reignited speculation of an interest rate cut. Currency markets now...
US stocks rallied at the start of the holiday-shortened week, with the S&P 500 rising 1.6%, the Nasdaq surging 2.6%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising more than 300 points as investors grew more confident that the Fed would soon ease policy. New York Fed President John Williams hinted at room for an interest rate cut in the near future, and Fed Governor Christopher Waller said recent labor market weakness makes a December rate cut plausible. According to CME FedWatch, futures markets currently have a roughly 79% probability of a 25-bps rate cut at the December 9-10 meeting....
European stocks recovered in afternoon trading and closed slightly higher on Monday (November 24th), paring losses from the previous week thanks to renewed dovish signals from key FOMC members. The Eurozone STOXX 50 rose 0.4% to 5,540, and the pan-European STOXX 600 gained 0.3% to 564. Technology stocks traded in the bloc closed sharply higher, following sentiment in US stocks that indicated a slight respite from last week's sell-off. Risk-sensitive sectors also benefited from Fed Chairman Waller's support for an interest rate cut next month. ASML rose 3% and Infineon jumped 3.5%, while...