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...
US equity futures remained sluggish on Friday (December 26th), expected to remain in thin trading after the market closed for a holiday. Contracts tracking the S&P 500 and the Dow held near their record highs amid expectations that continued economic growth and more accommodative monetary policy are supporting earnings prospects. Despite optimism that corporate earnings will remain strong, skepticism about the magnitude of the Fed's interest rate cuts next year and lingering concerns that excessive capital spending on AI infrastructure prevented a sharper "Santa Claus rally" as the new...
The Nikkei 225 rose 267 points, or 0.5%, to end at 50,675 on Friday, rebounding from three muted sessions and posting a second straight weekly gain of 0.7%, lifted by strength in several heavyweight blue chips. Meanwhile, Japan's broader Topix index briefly hit a record high before easing. Sentiment was lifted by cabinet approval of a record budget for FY 2026, aimed at balancing proactive fiscal support with long-term debt management, and set to be submitted to the Diet in January. Markets also reacted to plans that Tokyo may reduce issuance of super-long bonds next year, pulling benchmark...
Japanese stocks rose on Friday, though market movements were thin as many foreign investors were absent for holidays. The Topix index rose 0.1% to 3,423.06, while the Nikkei index rose 0.7% to 50,750.39. The gains were driven by technology and export stocks. Nintendo contributed the most to the Topix's rise, rising 2.3%, while AI companies like Disco Corp. and SoftBank Group also posted significant gains. Export stocks in Japan received a boost after the yen weakened slightly against the US dollar, which has boosted the competitiveness of Japanese companies in the global market. Masahiro...
Asian markets opened trading on December 26, 2025, with mixed movements after the Christmas holiday. Market liquidity remained relatively thin, and most exchanges moved slowly, amid positive sentiment from Wall Street, which recorded a new record close before the holiday. Despite reduced trading volume, investors remained cautious and cautious. Major stocks on the Nikkei 225 and Chinese markets remained in focus, while several exchanges in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia remained closed or traded flat due to the holiday. In commodity markets, gold and silver prices continued to hit record...
Japanese stocks rallied on Friday, boosted by a weaker yen following weaker-than-expected inflation data in Tokyo. The Nikkei stock index rose 0.6% to 50,700.49, with technology and video game stocks leading the gains. SoftBank Group rose 1.5%, while Nintendo also posted a 1.6% gain, reflecting market optimism about Japan's technology sector. The weaker yen also supported Japanese stocks, with USD/JPY trading at 156.22, up from 155.81 at the previous Tokyo close. Investors are now closely watching any comments from Japanese government officials regarding the yen's depreciation, as well as...