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%,...
Wall Street's main indexes opened lower on Wednesday, as investors assessed data pointing to a weak jobs market, while Microsoft fell after a report said the tech giant lowered its sales growth targets for certain artificial intelligence products. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 102.8 points, or 0.22%, at the open to 47,371.62. The S&P 500 fell 14.1 points, or 0.21%, at the open to 6,815.29, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 98.1 points, or 0.42%, to 23,315.58 at the opening bell. Source : Reuters
The Hang Seng tumbled 334 points, or 1.3%, to end at 25,761 on Wednesday, snapping a two-day rise as all sectors fell. Sentiment soured after a private survey showed China's services activity grew the least in five months in November, adding to pressure from deepening financial woes at property giant Vanke. The property sector led losses, down 1.6%, after Fitch placed Vanke on "Rating Watch Negative" and downgraded its subsidiary's notes. Financials, tech, and consumer stocks also retreated amid fading hopes for new stimulus before year-end. Still, the downside was limited by a Reuters...
The Nikkei 225 Index rose 1.14% to close at 49,865 on Wednesday, recouping losses from earlier in the week and following gains on Wall Street amid expectations of further US Federal Reserve rate cuts. Risk appetite also improved as investors weighed the potential for a year-end rally in global equities. At home, caution persisted as markets assessed speculation that the Bank of Japan could raise rates this month. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda said the central bank would consider the pros and cons of a hike and act "as appropriate." Technology stocks led the advance, with strong gains from...
The Nikkei 225 index rose 1.14% to close at 49,865 on Wednesday, recovering losses from earlier in the week and tracking gains on Wall Street. This rise was driven by expectations that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates again, boosting investor risk appetite. However, Japanese market participants remained cautious amid speculation that the Bank of Japan could raise interest rates this month. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda stated that the central bank is still weighing the positive and negative impacts before making a decision. The technology sector was the driving force behind the...
Shares in Hong Kong dipped 273 points, or 1.0%, to 25,826 in early Wednesday trade, reversing gains from the prior two sessions amid steep, broad-based losses across sectors. Traders were nervous ahead of key policy events in China, including the annual Central Economic Work Conference and the December Politburo meeting. Fresh private survey data also pressured sentiment, as China's services sector grew the least in five months during November, highlighting weakening economic momentum despite Beijing's efforts to boost activity. An extended decline in mainland markets also added to the...