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%,...
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European equities traded at all-time highs on the final day of 2025, setting the stage for their strongest year since 2021, driven by gains in banks and miners. The STOXX 50 rose 0.5% to near a record 5,785 points, while the broader STOXX 600 climbed 0.5% to a fresh peak of 592 points. For the year, the STOXX 50 is on track to finish up around 19%, with the STOXX 600 set for a 17% gain. Banks led the rally with a remarkable 67% surge, followed by strong performance in basic resources, boosted by rising gold, silver, and other metal prices. Utilities also contributed, supported by higher...
US stock futures edged lower on the final trading day of 2025, as markets prepared to close a turbulent year marked by uncertainty over President Trump's tariffs and enthusiasm around AI-driven gains. The S&P 500 and Dow are on track to finish higher for an eighth consecutive month, supported by strong demand for AI stocks that pushed major indexes to record highs. Still, annual gains are set to lag the rallies of the past two years, after Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs triggered a global market sell-off in April and added uncertainty to the Fed's policy outlook. Communication...
The Hang Seng slipped 224 points, or 0.9%, to close early at 25,630 on the final trading day of 2025, as markets closed early ahead of the New Year. The index reversed the prior session's strength as losses spread across all sectors, with tech, consumer, and financial stocks leading the declines. Still, the index posted a second straight annual gain, climbing nearly 28% in 2025. The rally was boosted by a buoyant IPO market in Hong Kong, easing U.S. China trade tensions, and Beijing's pledge to support economic growth through proactive fiscal spending and accommodative monetary...
Japan's Nikkei 225 slipped 0.4% to 50,339 on the final trading session of 2025, weighed down by losses in metals and brokerage stocks. Despite the late pullback, the benchmark index advanced about 26% over the year, marking its third consecutive annual gain, driven largely by strength in chipmakers and construction-related shares. The broader Topix fell 0.5% to 3,409 Tuesday but still closed the year up 22% at a record year-end high, supported by a steady economic recovery, resilient earnings, and easing global trade headwinds, despite concerns over the Bank of Japan's gradual rate hikes....