The S&P 500 fluctuated on Friday (January 2), the first trading day of 2026, as gains in semiconductor stocks tried to keep the index steady. The benchmark index was last up 0.1%, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.1%. Both indexes had previously shown solid positive trends earlier in the day, with the S&P 500 and the tech-dominated Nasdaq trading up 0.7% and 1.5%, respectively, at their peaks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 254 points, or 0.5%. Major chip stocks like Nvidia and Micron Technology rose during the session. Nvidia rose more than 1%, and Micron Technology jumped...
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...
The Hang Seng rose 219 points, or 0.9%, to end at 25,855 on Tuesday, reversing prior losses with broad-based sector gains. Tech stocks led the rally, up 1.7% on strong moves from SMIC (4.5%), Horizon Robotics (3.3%), Trip.com (1.9%), and Kuaishou Tech (1.0%). Consumer shares also advanced, while financials edged higher after Hong Kong's November trade data showed exports and imports rising the most in four years, underscoring firm demand both abroad and at home. Sentiment was further boosted by six Chinese firms debuting in Hong Kong, most opening above IPO prices, capping a strong year...
The Nikkei 225 rose 132 points, or 0.25%, to close at 50,420 on Tuesday, the final trading day of the year, reversing previous losses and securing a robust 28.1% gain for 2025. It marked the index's third straight annual advance, supported by Japan's steady economic recovery, resilient corporate earnings, and easing global trade headwinds, which helped offset growing concerns over the Bank of Japan's gradual rate-hike path amid lingering cost pressures. Gains were driven by select heavyweight stocks despite broader sector weakness, with Fujitsu jumping 2.3%, Murata Manufacturing rising...
Japan's Nikkei stock index closed slightly lower at 50,339.48 on the final trading day of 2025, down 0.4%. This decline was driven by weakness in metals and brokerage stocks. Nevertheless, the Nikkei recorded a gain of around 26% throughout 2025, led by chip and construction stocks, which posted excellent performance. Several large companies, such as Kioxia Holdings, which surged more than sixfold, and SoftBank Group, which posted a 92% gain in 2025, contributed to the Nikkei's performance. Furthermore, construction companies such as Taisei and Shimizu also saw their share prices more than...