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 Hang Seng Tech Index fell 1% to 5,521, indicating renewed pressure on Hong Kong technology stocks in the latest trading session. This decline reflects a more cautious sentiment towards the technology sector, as the index's movement was dominated by selling in large-cap tech companies, which are typically the main movers. With this weakening, market participants will be watching to see whether the index can hold the 5,500-plus area or whether it opens up room for further correction in the near term. (asd) Source: Newsmaker.id
Asian stock markets opened with limited movement on Wednesday morning (December 31, 2025), ahead of the year's close. Most indices moved slightly and without a clear direction, reflecting the cautious attitude of investors who chose to hold off before entering the new year. Trading activity also tended to be quiet as some market participants had already begun their year-end holidays. In East Asia, the Japanese stock market saw a slight decline at the start of the session, while Chinese and Hong Kong stock markets moved mixed. Investors were still monitoring global conditions, particularly...
US stocks maintained their sluggish momentum on Tuesday afternoon, expected to close the year relatively close to recent record highs as the market assessed the prospects for strong economic growth and the Fed's interest rate cuts amid concerns about excessive valuations for AI companies. The S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, and Dow held off from deviating significantly from the flatline. The minutes from the Fed's latest meeting confirmed that the FOMC was divided on how to weigh the conflicting risks of high inflation and unemployment next year, although there was broad consensus that there was...
European stocks picked up steam on Tuesday, extending gains to notch a fresh record high. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index provisionally closed 0.7% higher, having earlier broken through 590 points to hit a new record. The U.K.'s FTSE, France's CAC 40, and Germany's DAX all ended the session more than 0.6% higher, while Italy's FTSE MIB gained 1.2%. Mining stocks were the top performers, with London-listed Fresnillo gaining 6%. Peer miners Anglo American, Antofagasta, and Glencore rose around 3%, respectively. Precious metals, notably gold and silver, were firmly in focus for investors...
US stocks held their muted momentum on Tuesday, set to close the year relatively near recent record highs as markets assessed the outlook of robust economic growth and rate cuts by the Fed against concerns of exaggerated valuations for AI companies. The S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, and Dow refrained from deviating too much from the flatline. The thin holiday trading and data schedule removed catalysts for markets, maintaining the spotlight on miners as supply concerns and speculative bets lifted copper and silver futures toward record highs, although Freeport McMoRan extended losses. In the...