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%,...
US stocks closed higher on Friday (December 5), with the S&P 500 up 0.2%, the Nasdaq up 0.4%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.2% as weak PCE data and positive sentiment in Michigan strengthened the likelihood of a 25bps Fed rate cut next week, with traders pricing in an 87% chance of a rate cut. Core PCE rose 0.2% in September, with the annual rate dropping to 2.8%, while Michigan showed improved confidence and lower near-term inflation expectations. Large-cap stocks were the main drivers of the gains, with Alphabet (+1.2%), MetaTrader (+1.8%), and Broadcom (+2.4%) leading the...
European stocks edged higher, posting a second straight week of gains, as markets continued to assess the outlook for interest rates next year, the returns from a surge in AI capital spending, and the possibility of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The STOXX 50 edged up 0.1% to 5,726, up 1% for the week, while the STOXX 600 closed flat at 579, up 0.4% from last Friday. The latest US economic data maintained the prospect of a Fed rate cut next week, while an upward revision to the Eurozone labor market was consistent with the ECB's signal that interest rates would remain unchanged for...
U.S. stocks edged higher ahead of a key inflation report, with investors looking for confirmation that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week. At 09:35 ET (14:35 GMT), the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 85 points, or 0.2%, the S&P 500 index gained 14 points, or 0.2%, and the NASDAQ Composite rose 102 points, or 0.4%. PCE inflation gauge in spotlight Expectations of 25-basis point reduction at the Federal Reserve's December 9–10 meeting are running hot -- with futures now pricing in roughly an 87% probability -- on the back of recent weak labor data and broader...
Stocks in Europe traded higher on Friday, with both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 up 0.2%, putting them on track to notch a second consecutive week of gains. Expectations that the Federal Reserve will deliver another rate cut next week continued to lift sentiment, supporting a broadly positive tone across equity markets. Investors in Europe are also keeping a close eye on US.-led negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Corporate news drove much of the day's sector moves, with basic resources, autos, healthcare, and chemicals among the top performers. Novo Nordisk rose more than 2%...
The Hang Seng rose 149 points, or 0.6%, to close at 26,085, reversing morning losses and marking a second straight session of gains. An uptick in U.S. futures supported sentiment ahead of the U.S. PCE index, a key inflation gauge preferred by the Fed and the FOMC's final meeting for the year next week, where another rate cut is expected. Investors also looked past concerns over China's shadow banking practices, hopeful that Beijing may deliver fresh stimulus to a slowing economy. Most sectors advanced, led by tech, financials, and consumer stocks. Hong Kong markets posted a second...