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...
European stocks closed slightly lower on Monday as global investors focused on the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision this week. The pan-European Stoxx 600 provisionally ended the session 0.07% lower, with major regional bourses and sectors mixed, at closed at 4:30 p.m. in London (11:30 a.m. ET). The Fed is widely expected to cut its key interest rate at its final meeting of the year, with traders pricing in around an 87% chance of a 25-basis-point cut this Wednesday when the central bank concludes its two-day meeting, according to the CME FedWatch tool. The Fed's decision...
The Hang Seng Index plunged 320 points, or 1.2%, to close at 25,765 on Monday (December 8), reversing gains from the previous two sessions as most sectors weakened, particularly the financial, property, and consumer staples sectors. Deflationary risks persist ahead of the November CPI and PPI data in mainland China later this week. Investors are also growing nervous ahead of the likely Politburo meeting and the annual Central Economic Work Conference in China, as they seek guidance on policy direction for 2026. However, the weakness was partially offset by regulatory easing in China, with...
European stocks weakened at the opening bell on Monday (December 8th) as global investors focused on this week's US Federal Reserve monetary policy decision. The pan-European Stoxx 600 was last seen below the flatline. The Fed is widely expected to cut its benchmark interest rate at its final meeting of the year, with traders pricing in about an 87% chance of a 25 basis point cut on Wednesday when the central bank concludes its two-day meeting, according to the CME FedWatch tool. The Fed's decision will serve as a benchmark for other central banks, which will hold their final policy...
The Nikkei 225 index rose around 0.27% to 50,582, while the Topix index strengthened 0.65% to 3,384 in Monday trading. These gains helped recoup some of the previous session's losses, driven by positive sentiment stemming from strong expectations that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this week. The prospect of lower interest rates in the US is usually good news for global risk assets, including Japanese stocks. However, investors remain cautious as they monitor rising geopolitical tensions between Japan and China, which could trigger renewed market volatility. At the same...
The Hong Kong stock index weakened in Monday morning trading, dropping around 165 points or 0.6% to 25,915. This correction halted the previous two sessions' rally. Most sectors fell, with financial and consumer stocks leading the decline. Investors have become more cautious after consecutive gains, opting to hold off while awaiting new data and sentiment. The market is now focused on the release of China's November trade data, scheduled for release today. Previously, October data recorded an unexpected decline in exports and weaker-than-expected imports, raising fresh concerns about the...